Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.1% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 2,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA market rose by 926 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.1%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA unemployment rate is 69 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 40 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 3.1% 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 August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 10.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 24,200; +2,200
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.