Unemployment up in December in nearly every state county

    CHARLESTON — West Virginia's unemployment rate climbed seven-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6 percent in December 2009, according to figures released today by Workforce West Virginia. Nearly every county reported an increasing unemployment rate as well.

    The number of counties recording an unemployment rate considered much worse than average when compared to the state rate rose in December. This group included Wetzel (12.9), Jackson (12.9), Grant (13.1), Brooke (13.5), Pocahontas (13.6), Roane (14.4), Clay (14.6), and Calhoun (15.9). 

    The number of counties recording an unemployment rate considered better than average when compared to the state rate was unchanged in December. This group contained Kanawha (7.1), Cabell (6.8), Marion (6.6), Jefferson (6.5), and Putnam (6.1). 

    Once again, Monongalia (4.5) was the sole county recording an unemployment rate considered much better than average when compared to the state rate.

    Fore more information visit, www.workforcewv.org/LMI/datarel/cnty_PR.pdf