Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA market rose by 736 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 110 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA unemployment rate is 255 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 830 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in April versus prior month by -11.8% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Unemployment April 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 25,600; +100
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.