Not only did the unemployment rate drop across Virginia in April, it also fell throughout the New River Valley, according to the latest figures released by the Virginia Employment Commission.

Statewide, the unemployment rate fell from 3.9 percent in March to 3.3 percent in April. The number of unemployed was down 23,300 to 135,200 in April.

“April usually sees the lowest unemployment rate for the first half of the year,” according to William Mezger, chief economist for the VEC. “Unemployment usually rises in May and June as schools and colleges hold commencements. Even with higher unemployment this year, the market for new college graduates still appears fairly good—but probably not quite as strong as in 2006 and 2007.”

Giles County, who recorded 5.1 percent unemployment in March improved to 4.4 percent in April.

Radford fell to 4.0 percent in April compared to 4.9 percent the previous month.

In Montgomery County, April’s unemployment rate was 3.3 percent compared to 3.8 percent in March.

Pulaski County also dropped from 5.6 percent in March to 4.1 percent in April.

Metzger also stated, “The Virginia economy appeared in April to make up much of the ground that it lost in March. April was generally a much better month than March with workers back at work from a sizable strike, the recall of vehicle parts workers who could not work last month because of strikes at plants that they supply, and recalls from furloughs around the Easter holiday. Also, seasonal construction workers resumed work, tourism was hiring for the new season, and this year’s college graduates were starting to be hired.”

All ten Virginia metropolitan areas followed the state pattern to lower unemployment in April 2008. The Danville area, where unemployment was down from 7.4 percent in March to 6.3 percent in April, had the best improvement, but Danville still had the highest metropolitan area jobless rate. Northern Virginia, the largest metropolitan area, where unemployment was down from 2.9 percent in March to 2.6 percent in April, had the lowest metropolitan area jobless rate.

Among Virginia’s 134 individual counties and cities in April 2008, Arlington County, at 2.1 percent, had the lowest unemployment; and Martinsville city, at 10.1 percent, was the highest and the only jurisdiction with double-digit unemployment.
 

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment