State's Unemployment Rate remains at 8.6 percent in July

    CHARLESTON -- West Virginia’s unemployment rate remained at 8.6 percent in July, WorkForce West Virginia reported today. The number of unemployed state residents rose 500 to 68,000. Total unemployment was up 1,700 over the year.

    Total nonfarm payroll employment declined 4,500, where a loss of 4,800 in the service-providing sector easily overpowered a slight gain of 300 in the goods-producing sector. Within the goods-producing sector, gains of 200 in both manufacturing and mining and logging offset a decline of 100 in construction. Employment declines within the service-providing sector were fueled by the seasonal loss of 2,900 in government, almost entirely at the local level.

    Other losses included 600 in leisure and hospitality, 500 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 500 in professional and business services, 300 in other services, and 100 in educational and health services. Financial activities added 100 jobs, while information employment was unchanged over the month.

    Since July 2009, total nonfarm payroll employment has added 1,300 jobs, with a gain of 2,200 in the goods-producing sector overpowering a loss of 900 in the service-providing sector. Employment gains included 2,200 in educational and health services, 900 in manufacturing, 800 in construction, 600 in government, 500 in other services, and 500 in mining and logging. Employment declines included 2,400 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 600 in leisure and hospitality, 600 in financial activities, and 600 in professional and business services. Information employment was unchanged over the year.

    West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched upward one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.6 percent, while the national rate remained at 9.5 percent.