West Virginia Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia fell 0.3 percentage points in July 2021 to 5.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 15.6% and is now 10.6 percentage points lower. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | July 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 5.4% | -0.5 | -4.8 |
| West Virginia | 5.0% | -0.3 | -4.4 |
Note: All comparisons are made with July data as August state level unemployment data has not yet been released.
Unemployment Rate: West Virginia, National
Note: Recessions shown in gray
West Virginia Unemployed
The number of people unemployed in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 119,473. There are now 79,558 fewer people unemployed in the state. West Virginia job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | July 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 39,915 | -2,111 | -34,339 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
West Virginia Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2021 | 5.2% | — | — |
| July 2021 | 5.4% | 5.0% | 39,915 |
| June 2021 | 5.9% | 5.3% | 42,026 |
| May 2021 | 5.8% | 5.5% | 43,738 |
| April 2021 | 6.1% | 5.8% | 45,891 |
| March 2021 | 6.0% | 5.9% | 47,282 |
| February 2021 | 6.2% | 6.2% | 49,663 |
| January 2021 | 6.3% | 6.5% | 51,604 |
| December 2020 | 6.7% | 6.7% | 53,698 |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 7.0% | 56,037 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 7.4% | 58,787 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 7.9% | 62,323 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
