Employment numbers continue to improve
The state unemployment rate dropped in August to three percentage points below the national average, and the rate also dipped locally in the Central Shenandoah Valley.
The state rate was at 6.5 percent in August, down from 6.9 percent in July and 7.3 percent in June, according to data on the Virginia Employment Commission updated Wednesday.
Locally:
- Rockingham County and Augusta County continue to have the lowest unemployment rates in the Valley. Rockingham was at 5.3 percent unemployment in August, down from 5.7 percent in July. Augusta was at 5.7 percent in August, down from 6.2 percent in July.
- Harrisonburg’s rate was down a full percentage point, from 7.2 percent in July to 6.2 percent in August.
- Staunton and Waynesboro had the smallest drops. Staunton was at 6.9 percent in August after having been at 7.2 percent in July. Waynesboro was at 8.5 percent after being at 8.8 percent in July.
- Story by Chris Graham
