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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

West Virginia

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Payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 9,100 jobs (1.2 percent) in June. The unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.

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  • "West Virginia's labor market contracted in June as nearly all of the gains in payroll employment in May, which came from the government sector, were given up in June." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 9,100 jobs (1.2 percent), on net, in June. Nearly all of the jobs were lost in the month in the government sector (9,000 jobs) while employment in the remaining sectors were little changed in June.
  • On a year-over-year basis, total payroll employment in West Virginia increased by 1,900 jobs (0.3 percent), on net. Compared to last year, the most jobs were added in education and health services (3,400 jobs) and construction (1,300 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia edged down 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent in June.

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

  • In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued decreased 30.7 percent in May 2026 compared to April 2026. Compared to May 2025, the number of permits decreased 19.6 percent.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated 0.1 percent in Q1 of 2026 compared to Q4 of 2025. Home values grew by 4.8 percent in Q1 of 2026 compared to Q1 of 2025.
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