West Virginia Unemployment Rate Dips to 5.7 Percent in July

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point in July to 5.7 percent.

WorkForce West Virginia said in a news release Tuesday that it’s the state’s lowest unemployment rate since December 2008.

The number of unemployed state residents dropped by 2,100 last month to 45,000.

Job gains included 500 in financial activities and 200 in manufacturing. Job declines included 1,400 in trade, transportation and utilities, 800 in government and 500 in leisure and hospitality.

The state’s overall nonfarm payroll employment has dropped by 2,100 since July 2015, including 4,800 in mining and logging 1,700 in trade, transportation and utilities, and 1,000 in construction.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent in July.