The unemployment rate in West Virginia remained at 8.6 percent in June, but state analyst said that could fall in July. WorkForce West Virginia reported that total unemployment is down 2,200 over the year.
"Historically, the unemployment rate declines in July, so we should see a slight drop in the July unemployment rate," WorkForce Data Analyst Joe Jarvis said. "I do not anticipate any significant decrease, however."
He said both total employment and total unemployment increased in June and if there had been a smaller increase in total unemployment the rate would have declined.
According to WorkForce, a decline of 2,100 jobs in the service-providing sector offset a gain of 2,100 in the goods-producing sector.
Employment gains within the service-providing sector included: 1,400 in construction;600 in manufacturing; and 100 in mining and logging. Within the service-providing sector gains included: 2,000 in leisure and hospitality; 1,400 in professional and business services; 700 in trade, transportation, and utilities; 200 in financial activities; and 100 in other services.
Declines included 6,000 in government, a loss entirely at the state level, and 500 in educational and health services; and 2,900 in professional and business.
"Many employers have been hesitant to increase staffing during this post-recessionary period," Jarvis said. "However, I have seen several help wanted signs lately, a sign, perhaps, that employers are feeling more confident."
He said Randolph, Lewis, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Pendleton and Hardy county all reported declines in unemployment.
"In some cases the rates were nearly unchanged," Jarvis said. "The only county with a substantial increase in the unemployment rate was Grant ... and appears to be construction related."
In Grant County, the rate climbed from 10.8 percent in May to 12.7 percent in June. There were 530 unemployed in May and that number rose to 610 in June.
The rate in Upshur County rose from 8.7 percent in May to 9.1 percent in June. There were 890 jobless in May up to 920 in June.
Barbour County also reported a rise in the unemployment rate. The rate jumped from 9.4 percent in May with 630 jobless to 9.9 percent and 670 unemployed in June.
In Upshur County, the rate climbed from 8.7 percent in May to 9.1 percent in June. The number of those jobless rose from 890 in May to 920 in June.
There was also a slight climb in the rate in Tucker County. The rate jumped from 11.3 percent in May to 11.5 percent in June. There were 290 jobless in May which rose to 310 in June.
In area counties, Pocahontas County reported the largest drop in unemployment. The rate fell from 16.4 percent with 540 jobless in May to 11.5 percent with 400 unemployed in June.
In Randolph County, the rate fell from 11.1 percent in May with 1,300 unemployed to 10 percent in June with 1,180 jobless.
The rate in Lewis County dropped from 7 percent in May to 6.9 percent in June. Both months show the number of unemployment at 570, but the number of working increased from 7,250 in May to 7,320 in June.
In Hardy County, the rate went from 9.1 percent in May to 9 percent in June. Both months showed 570 unemployed, but the number of those working climbed from 5,660 in May to 5,750 in June.
The rate in Pendleton County fell from 6.8 in May to 6.5 in June. Both months reported 230 jobless, but the number of employed grew from 3,170 in May to 3,230 in June.
Contact Anthony Gaynor by email at agaynor@theintermountain.com.
