Virginia's Unemployment Rate

Virginia's unemployment rate edged up slightly in August, but still remained well below the national average.

The Virginia Employment Commission said Tuesday its adjusted unemployment rate was 7 percent in August. That's up from 6.9 percent last August.

The agency says August is typically a transition month between summer and fall labor markets.

During the month, the labor force, total unemployment and the number of unemployed normally decline as students quit summer jobs and head back to school and local school districts see their lowest employment levels before school starts back up in the fall.

The agency said more than 61,930 people were receiving regular unemployment benefits in August, down more than 9,430 from July and down more than 30,980 from August last year.

The national rate stood at 9.6 percent in August, up slightly from July. The Labor Department said 27 states saw their unemployment rates rise in August, the largest number in six months, as hiring weakened across the country. The jobless rate fell in 13 states and was unchanged in 10 states and Washington, D.C.
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