Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 1,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA market declined by 1,316 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.2%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA unemployment rate is 189 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 360 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in June versus prior month by -10.8% and are up 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 June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -8.1%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 21,700; -1,900
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.