Virginia’s employment stays steady

by Jessica Sabbath / MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

Published: April 3, 2008

Virginia’s unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent between January and February, despite a weakening economy.

The February rate is higher than the February 2007 rate of 3.2 percent, but lower than the national average of 5.2 percent unemployment.

Employment around the state varied. Northern Virginia’s unemployment rate dropped slightly, 2.9 percent to 2.8 percent between January and February. The region continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state.

Other regions also saw their unemployment rate fall. Charlottesville’s unemployment dropped from 3.3 percent to 3 percent, Blacksburg from 4.5 percent to 4.4 percent and Lynchburg from 4.0 percent to 3.9 percent.

The unemployment rate increased in four areas, including Danville from 7.1 percent to 7.3 percent, Harrisonburg from 3.3 percent to 3.4 percent, Roanoke from 3.8 percent to 3.9 percent and Winchester from 4.1 percent to 4.2 percent.