PARKERSBURG - Unemployment dropped two tenths of a percentage point to 7.1 percent in Wood County in August, according to the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reported on Tuesday by WorkForce West Virginia Research, Information and Analysis Division.
Unemployment across the state was 7.5 percent, up two tenths of a percentage point from the month before, the agency said.
Joblessness in 29 of the 55 counties rose with 23 reporting a declining rate. Three counties, Pleasants (8.4 percent,) Morgan and Upshur, reported no change, WorkForce said.
The top three counties with the highest unemployment rate was Clay (11.5,) Webster (11.6) and Boone (11.9.) Unemployment was less than 6 percent in Pendleton (5.9,) Preston (5.8,) Monroe (5.7,) Putnam (5.6,) Monongalia (5.2) and Jefferson (5.1.)
Unemployment in other local counties was (August, July.):
* Calhoun, 9.6, 9
* Doddridge, 7.7, 6.5
* Gilmer, 7.3, 6.8
* Jackson, 8.8, 8.7
* Ritchie, 6.8, 6.5
* Roane, 10.2, 10.3
* Tyler, 8.9, 8.7
* Wirt, 9.1, 11.2
