Business & Tech

Virginia Jobless Rate Rises to 5.3 Percent

The unemployment rate in Virginia increased for the second consecutive month in June as fewer people are looking for work.

The unemployment rate in Virginia increased for the second consecutive month in June as fewer people are looking for work.

Virginia’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose to 5.3 percent in June from 5.1 percent in May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Virginia Employment Commission reported Friday. The state’s unemployment measured 5.7 percent the same month last year.

Virginia’s unemployment rate remained below the national average, which fell one-fifth of a percentage point in June to 6.1 percent as the economy added 288,000 jobs. Half of the state's 10 metropolitan areas reported job losses while the other half reported gains. Northern Virginia saw the largest job gains of any region.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Virginia added 600 jobs in the professional services sector and added 4,100 jobs overall, including 2,200 positions in the construction industry and another 2,200 positions in education in health services, the Washington Post reports.

The June unemployment rate fell for 22 states and the District. Every state but Alabama now has a better unemployment rate than in June of 2013.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here