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West Virginia

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Payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 700 jobs (0.1 percent) in November. The unemployment rate edged up 0.4 percentage point to 4.4 percent between September and November.

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  • "West Virginia's labor market deteriorated further in November as payroll employment declined slightly and the unemployment rate moved higher." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 700 jobs (0.1 percent), on net, in November. The most jobs were lost in trade, transportation, and utilities (1,000 jobs), followed by professional and business services (500 jobs), and government (100 jobs). Conversely, the most jobs were added in the month in leisure and hospitality (500 jobs) and construction (500 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 1,400 jobs (0.2 percent), on net. Since last November, the most jobs were lost in government (2,300 jobs), leisure and hospitality (1,500 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (1,300 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia edged up 0.4 percentage point to 4.4 percent between September and November. (October data is not available.)

Housing Market icon showing a picture of a house Housing Market Conditions

  • In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued decreased 27.9 percent in August 2025 compared to July 2025. Compared to August 2024, the number of permits issued decreased 25.4 percent.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated 2.8 percent in Q3 of 2025 compared to Q2 of 2025. Home values grew by 5.8 percent in Q3 of 2025 compared to Q3 of 2024.
Snapshot Resources
  • Term Definitions

    Payroll Employment
    The number of nonfarm jobs (persons on payrolls) according to where those jobs are located.

    Unemployment Rate
    The number of unemployed persons (those not employed but available and searching for work) as a percent of the civilian labor force (the total number of employed plus unemployed persons).

    Industry Structure
    A breakdown of total nonfarm jobs by industry. Percentages sum to 100 percent.

    Industry Growth
    The percentage change in jobs in each industry from a year ago.

    Building Permits
    The number of privately owned single-family and multi-family units authorized in permit-issuing places.

    House Price Index
    A repeat sales index, measuring average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same single-family properties.

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Joseph Mengedoth