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Virginia jobless rate falls to 6.2 percent in November

December 21, 2011
By: From staff and wire reports / Richmond Times-Dispatch

Virginia's jobless rate in November fell for the second straight month.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 6.2 percent last month, down from the 6.4 percent rate in October and 6.6 percent in November 2010, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

The rate fell because the number of unemployed decreased by 8,331 while the labor force increased by 7,610, the commission said.

"This is a very good sign," said Don Lillywhite, research analyst with the employment commission. "We added employment and decreased the number of unemployed."

The unadjusted unemployment rate, which does not account for seasonal employment changes, declined to 5.7 percent in November, below the 6.5 percent rate a year ago.

Four major industry sectors saw employment gains in November from October, while five experienced job losses and two remained unchanged.

The trade and transportation sector added 13,000 jobs in November as retailers and shippers hired extra holiday workers.

The largest loss of jobs by sector in November from October took place in leisure and hospitality, which saw employment drop by 10,400 jobs as resorts reduced the number of workers after the fall foliage travel season.

Manufacturing employment fell from October by 2,600 jobs, while the construction industry lost 1,100 jobs during the same period.

Seven industry sectors saw employment gains in November compared with the same month in 2010, while four segments experienced job losses.

Government employment in Virginia grew by 1.3 percent in November from a year ago.

The private education and health services sector increased the number of jobs by 1.1 percent last month from a year ago, with the 7,000 jobs gained in health care and social assistance outweighing the 1,900 job lost in private education.

The unemployment rates for the Richmond metro area and other regions for November are to be released Jan. 4.

The state's jobless rate had been decreasing since peaking at 7.2 percent from December 2009 to February 2010, but it had risen slightly from July through September this year.

Virginia's rate is still below the national average, which dropped to 8.6 percent in November, the lowest since March 2009.

The Labor Department said unemployment rates fell in 43 states, reflecting a modest pickup in the nation's job market.

Nationally, employers added a net total of 120,000 jobs. Still, at least 125,000 jobs a month are needed to keep up with population growth and at least double that amount to rapidly reduce the joblessness rate.

Copyright Richmond Times-Dispatch. Used by permission.

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