Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.7% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,100 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 2,261 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 80 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 510 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 1.5% 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 May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 153,800; -2,100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 130,400; +900
  • Business Services: 115,900; +1,600
  • Education & Healthcare: 104,400; -2,500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 81,800; +3,100
  • Manufacturing: 55,900; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 39,400; -300
  • Financial Services: 38,500; no change
  • Other Jobs: 32,200; +200
  • IT & Development: 9,100; -100
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.