Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA market rose by 498 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA unemployment rate is 169 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 200 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in November versus prior month by -9.3% 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 November 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 2.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 27,000; +600
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Unemployment by Industry November 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.