CHARLESTON - West Virginia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined slightly to 7.5 percent in October, WorkForce West Virginia reported.
The number of unemployed state residents decreased 300 to 60,300. Total unemployment was down 3,200 over the year. The national unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a
percentage point to 7.9 percent.
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased 200, with gains of 300 in the service providing sector offsetting a loss of 100 in the goods-producing sector.
Within the goods-producing sector, mining and logging increased by 700, while construction and manufacturing were down by 700 and 100 respectively. Within the service-providing sector, employment increased by 200 in trade, transportation and utilities, 100 in financial activities, 300 in educational and health services, and 1,400 in leisure and hospitality. Professional and business services declined 400, and government employment decreased 1,300, while employment was unchanged in other services.
Since October 2011, total nonfarm payroll employment has fallen 11,000, with losses of 6,600 in the goods-producing sector and 4,400 in the service-providing sector. Employment declines included 5,300 in mining and logging, 2,700 in manufacturing, 2,800 in trade, transportation and utilities, 300 in financial activities, 1,000 in other services, and 4,100 in government. Employment gains included 1,400 in construction, 3,400 in educational and health services, and 600 in leisure and hospitality. Employment in professional and business services remained unchanged over the year.
Fact Box
In Addition
Unemployment rates increased in 17 counties, while 33 counties reported declining unemployment rates in October. Five counties, Mason, Mercer, Mineral, Pocahontas and Wyoming, reported no change in their unemployment rates. Counties with unemployment rates at 10 percent and over included Clay (13.5,) Webster (12.2,) Wetzel (10.2,) and Boone (10.1.) Counties with unemployment rates less than 5 percent include Jefferson (4.5) and Monongalia (4.3.)
West Virginia's net seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point to 6.8 percent in October 2012.
County unemployment data was released on Friday.
Joblessness in Wood County was 6.7 percent in October, up .2 percent from September, but down from 7.4 percent from October 2011.
Unemployment in surrounding counties (October, September, October 2011) is:
* Calhoun, 8.7, 8.8, 9.6
* Doddridge, 6.3, 6.9, 7.9
* Gilmer, 6.6, 6.9, 6.3
* Jackson, 8, 8.5, 9.7
* Pleasants, 7.5, 7.6, 7.6
* Ritchie, 6.6, 6.9, 7.2
* Roane, 9.5, 10, 10.2
* Tyler, 8.6, 8.7, 9.1
* Wirt, 9.9, 8.9, 9.1
* Wood, 6.7, 6.5, 7.4
