Friday, September 18, 2009

Over half of state counties report rising unemployment rates in August

    CHARLESTON — West Virginia's unemployment rate climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6  percent in August 2009, and just over one-half of the state's 55 counties reported rising unemployment rates as well, according to data released today by Workforce West Virginia. 

    The number of counties reporting an unemployment rate considered much worse than average when compared to the state rate declined slightly. This group included Wyoming (13.0 percent), Jackson (13.2 percent), Calhoun (13.4 percent), Wetzel (13.5 percent), Mason (13.6 percent), and McDowell (14.1 percent). 

    The number of counties recording an unemployment rate considered better than average when compared to the state rate was unchanged. This group included Gilmer (7.2 percent), Kanawha (7.2 percent), Mercer (7.2 percent), Monroe (7.2 percent), Jefferson (7.0 percent), Marion (7.0 percent), and Putnam (6.9 percent). Once again, Monongalia (5.0 percent) was the sole county recording an unemployment rate considered much better than average when compared to the state rate.

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