The Richmond metro area is a magnet for labor, drawing a workforce from more than 40 localities statewide. A combination of diverse industries with numerous educational institutions provide an ample workforce with positive work attitudes and a range of skills and experience.
Education & Training
Nearly 30 colleges and universities produce a steady stream of employees for new and expanding companies in fields including business, engineering, law, and medicine.
The Richmond Region offers a highly educated workforce, with 90 percent of the population 25 and older holding a high school degree or higher, and 43 percent holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- The Richmond Region offers an array of educational resources to meet the education and training needs of any company.
- Award-winning public schools are supplemented by a variety of private and parochial schools.
- At the secondary level, career and technical programs, college prep, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs are available.
- A full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs is available.
| Locality | Educational Attainment |
|---|---|
| Chesterfield County | 42.2% |
| Henrico County | 44.1% |
| Richmond city | 41.9% |
| Hanover County | 43.7% |
| GRP Region | 42.9% |
Labor Statistics
Historically, the Richmond Region has enjoyed low levels of unemployment. In recent years, the rates have remained at or below the national average.
| Richmond MSA | Virginia | USA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian Labor Force | 697,928 | 4,447,462 | 164,556,000 |
| Employed | 680,068 | 4,338,219 | 158,803,000 |
| Unemployed | 17,860 | 109,243 | 5,753,000 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 2.6 | 2.5 | 3.5 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2019, Not Seasonally Adjusted