Unemployment

The Virginia Employment Commission manages a program that tracks employment trends across the state. The program provides monthly estimates of the labor force, employment, unemployment and unemployment rates for local areas.

The data comes from surveys and unemployment claims collected during a reference week each month, usually the week that includes the 12th day of the month. The statistics reflect where people live, not where they work. To be counted as unemployed, a person must not have worked during the reference week, must be available for work and must have looked for a job during the four weeks before that week.

How This Information Helps

This report shows the number of people in the labor force who are unemployed and the unemployment rate for each locality in Virginia. Communities can use this information to better understand workforce trends and economic conditions.

For more information about employment statistics in Virginia, visit the Virginia Employment Commission Local Area Unemployment Statistics website.