Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC market rose by 290 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 120 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 115 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 780 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 0.2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment April 2021

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

  • Government: 155,900; +400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 129,400; +1,500
  • Business Services: 114,200; -900
  • Education & Healthcare: 106,900; -600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 78,700; +2,200
  • Manufacturing: 55,900; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 39,700; +700
  • Financial Services: 38,500; +100
  • Other Jobs: 32,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 9,100; no change
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC 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.