RICHMOND— Compared to a year earlier, August 2023 unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 116 of Virginia’s 133 counties and cities, remained unchanged in nine, and increased in only eight. In August, Galax City had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent, while Highland County had the lowest rate at 1.8 percent. The employment estimates in this release are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.

Among the metro areas, Northern Virginia² and Staunton-Waynesboro had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent, while Lynchburg had the highest at 3.7 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.1 percent, compared to 3.3 percent a year earlier.

The August 2023 local unemployment rates are online here. You can also access the local unemployment rates by clicking the Area Rates link under the unemployment graph located on www.VirginiaWorks.com.

The statistical reference week for the household survey this month was the week of August 6-12, 2023.

[1] The Commonwealth of Virginia is divided into 95 counties, along with 38 independent cities that are considered county-equivalents for census purposes. 

[2] Northern Virginia is defined as the Virginia portion of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).