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West Virginia

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Payroll employment in West Virginia increased by 3,300 jobs (0.5 percent) in February. The unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percentage point to 3.9 percent.

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  • "Labor market conditions in West Virginia improved in February as payroll employment rose and the unemployment rate edged lower in the month." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Payroll employment increased by 3,300 jobs (0.5 percent), on net, in February. The largest job gains occurred in construction (1,500 jobs), "other" services (1,100 jobs), and government (600 jobs). The only industries to cut jobs in the month were education and health services (400 jobs), financial services (100 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (100 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 1,300 jobs (0.2 percent), on net. The most jobs were shed over the year in leisure and hospitality (4,000 jobs), financial services (1,900 jobs), and professional and business services (1,100 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia declined by 0.1 percentage point to 3.9 percent in February and was 0.2 percentage points below the rate set in February of last year.

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

  • In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued increased by 14.7 percent in February 2025 compared to January 2025. Compared to February 2024, the number of permits issued decreased by 14.7 percent.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated by 2.2 percent in Q4 of 2024 compared to Q3 of 2024. Home values grew by 6.8 percent in Q4 of 2024 compared to Q4 of 2023.
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