State Unemployment Rate Dips to 6.4 Percent in April

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dipped slightly in April to 6.4 percent.

WorkForce West Virginia said in a news release Tuesday that the number of unemployed state residents dropped by 1,000 last month to 50,400.

Job gains included 900 in educational and health services, 600 in government, 300 both in manufacturing and in leisure and hospitality, 200 in construction and 100 in mining and logging.

Job declines included 1,300 in professional and business services, 700 in other services, 500 in trade, transportation and utilities, 400 in financial activities and 100 in information.

The state’s overall nonfarm payroll employment has dropped by 4,900 since April 2015, including 5,700 in mining and logging.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5 percent in April.