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West Virginia

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Payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 1,100 jobs (0.2 percent) in August. The unemployment rate in edged up to 3.8 percent.

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  • "West Virginia's labor market deteriorated slightly in August as payroll employment contracted and the unemployment rate edged higher." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Payroll employment declined by 1,100 jobs (0.2 percent), on net, in August. The largest declines occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities (700 jobs), construction (700 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (600 jobs). The professional and business services sector, on the other hand, posted a sizeable gain of 800 jobs (1.1 percent) in the month.
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in West Virginia increased by only 3,100 jobs (0.4 percent), on net. Since last August, the most jobs were added in construction (3,100 jobs), education and health services (1,700 jobs) and government (1,400 jobs). Those gains were partially offset by a 2,900 jobs loss in leisure and hospitality.
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia edged up to 3.8 percent in August, but the current rate is 0.3 percentage point lower than it was last August.

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 0.5 percent in Q2 of 2025 compared to Q1 of 2025. Home values grew by 3.3 percent in Q2 of 2025 compared to Q2 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