Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 4,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC market rose by 9,118 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 5.1%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 99 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 490 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in June versus prior month by 3.5% 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 June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 155,300; +1,500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 132,200; +1,400
  • Business Services: 117,600; +1,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 104,600; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 86,300; +4,400
  • Manufacturing: 56,200; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 40,500; +400
  • Financial Services: 38,600; +300
  • Other Jobs: 32,600; +400
  • IT & Development: 9,100; no change
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC 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.