Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.
Total employment in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA market rose by 1,508 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.
- Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA unemployment rate is 199 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 280 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -5.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 7.9% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 23,200; +1,700
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.