Skip to Main Content
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

West Virginia

aerial view of West Virginia

Payroll employment in West Virginia increased by 600 jobs (0.1 percent) in March. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.5 percent.

Download Full PDF

Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "West Virginia's labor market improved slightly in March as total payroll employment increased and the unemployment rate ticked down." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in West Virginia increased by 600 jobs (0.1 percent), on net, in March. The most jobs were added in the month in education and health services (500 jobs) and government (500 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, total payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 2,300 jobs (0.3 percent), on net. Compared to last year, the most jobs were lost in government (2,700 jobs), leisure and hospitality (1,600 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (1,500 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia ticked down to 4.5 percent in March.

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

  • In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued increased 10.7 percent in March 2026 compared to February 2026. Compared to March 2025, the number of permits issued increased 4.9 percent.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated 1.2 percent in Q4 of 2025 compared to Q3 of 2025. Home values grew by 4.7 percent in Q4 of 2025 compared to Q4 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.

Subscribe to Economic Data

Receive an email notification when regional surveys and reports are posted online:

Subscribe to Economic Data

By submitting this form you agree to the Bank's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice.

Contact Icon Contact Us
Joseph Mengedoth