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West Virginia

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Payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 1,100 jobs (0.2 percent) in December. The unemployment rate edged up 0.2 percentage point to 4.6 percent.

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  • "West Virginia's labor market continued to contract in December as payroll employment declined and the unemployment rate moved higher." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 1,100 jobs (0.2 percent), on net, in December. The most jobs were lost in trade, transportation, and utilities (700 jobs), followed by education and health services (400 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (400 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 2,300 jobs (0.3 percent), on net. Since last December, the most jobs were lost in leisure and hospitality (1,900 jobs), government (1,600 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (1,500 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia edged up 0.2 percentage point to 4.6 in December.

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

  • In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued decreased 38.2 percent in October 2025 compared to September 2025. Compared to October 2024, the number of permits issued decreased 13.7 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