House panel advances Youngkin proposal to cut time to appeal VEC decisions

Javascript is required to use this website.

The Virginia Employment Commission is proposing a new way to reduce the backlog of appeals in unemployment claim decisions — cut in half the time to file an appeal.

VEC — People line up in Chesterfield County in 2021 to talk to someone from the Virginia Employment Commission about benefits. Eliminating a large backlog of unemployment claims at the VEC is one of the transformation office's successes.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, TIMES-DISPATCH

Counties with the highest unemployment rate in Virginia

Counties with the highest unemployment rate in Virginia

Counties with the highest unemployment rate in Virginia — Unemployment rates, while significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, remain a subject of concern, notably as economic experts bandy around the idea of a potential recession by 2023. The last economic recession—the Great Recession of 2008-2010—sent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was not until the spring of 2019 that unemployment finally went down to the same level it sits at now.
As of August of this year, national unemployment is at 3.7%, 0.1% higher than in May, marking a three-month stagnation—following a steady drop since that aforementioned COVID-affected peak. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate a rather sizable spectrum, ranging from just 1.8% in Minnesota, to 4.5% in New Mexico and 5.2% in the District of Columbia. Further breakdown by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows yet another county-based spectrum within each state.
To that end, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rate in Virginia using data from the BLS. Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in July 2022, which as of this writing is the most current Bureau data.
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Henry County

#50. Henry County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.9%
-Total Labor Force: 25,690 (804 unemployed)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Northampton County

#49. Northampton County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -2.2%
-Total Labor Force: 6,116 (191 unemployed)
Alexiskferia // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Northumberland County

#48. Northumberland County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
-Total Labor Force: 6,031 (188 unemployed)
Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Pulaski County

#47. Pulaski County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
-Total Labor Force: 15,866 (498 unemployed)
Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Galax

#46. Galax — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
-Total Labor Force: 3,048 (94 unemployed)
Cyoung9 // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Suffolk

#45. Suffolk — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
-Total Labor Force: 45,271 (1,425 unemployed)
Calstanhope // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Waynesboro

#44. Waynesboro — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
-Total Labor Force: 10,432 (327 unemployed)
Lvklock // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Cumberland County

#43. Cumberland County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
-Total Labor Force: 4,865 (157 unemployed)
Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Pittsylvania County

#42. Pittsylvania County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: +0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
-Total Labor Force: 31,496 (996 unemployed)
Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Scott County

#41. Scott County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
-Total Labor Force: 8,949 (283 unemployed)
Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Caroline County

#40. Caroline County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
-Total Labor Force: 14,957 (490 unemployed)
Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Essex County

#39. Essex County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
-Total Labor Force: 5,517 (183 unemployed)
Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Lee County

#38. Lee County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
-Total Labor Force: 8,788 (293 unemployed)
pfly // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Lunenburg County

#37. Lunenburg County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
-Total Labor Force: 5,443 (179 unemployed)
Rhyssdavies // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Mecklenburg County

#36. Mecklenburg County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
-Total Labor Force: 13,786 (450 unemployed)
Cnjnva // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Russell County

#35. Russell County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
-Total Labor Force: 11,509 (377 unemployed)
Doug Kerr // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Dinwiddie County

#34. Dinwiddie County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: +0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
-Total Labor Force: 13,449 (454 unemployed)
Cecouchman // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Patrick County

#33. Patrick County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
-Total Labor Force: 7,497 (252 unemployed)
Jquesen2003 // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Prince George County

#32. Prince George County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
-Total Labor Force: 14,985 (513 unemployed)
Raul654 // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Bristol

#31. Bristol — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
-Total Labor Force: 7,288 (250 unemployed)
Aplomado~commonswiki // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Colonial Heights

#30. Colonial Heights — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
-Total Labor Force: 8,295 (279 unemployed)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Fredericksburg

#29. Fredericksburg — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
-Total Labor Force: 14,167 (480 unemployed)
Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Roanoke

#28. Roanoke — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
-Total Labor Force: 47,715 (1,602 unemployed)
Nolanwebb // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Halifax County

#27. Halifax County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
-Total Labor Force: 16,059 (600 unemployed)
vastateparksstaff // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Harrisonburg

#26. Harrisonburg — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
-Total Labor Force: 24,196 (903 unemployed)
Alma mater // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Richmond

#25. Richmond — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.9%
-Total Labor Force: 117,572 (4,392 unemployed)
Will Weaver // Wikicommons

#24. Prince Edward County

#24. Prince Edward County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
-Total Labor Force: 11,419 (433 unemployed)
Puritan Nerd // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Norton

#23. Norton — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -2.0%
-Total Labor Force: 1,777 (67 unemployed)
Betcantrell // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Radford

#22. Radford — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.8%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
-Total Labor Force: 8,600 (327 unemployed)
Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Dickenson County

#21. Dickenson County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -2.1%
-Total Labor Force: 5,206 (204 unemployed)
Nathan Yates // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Tazewell County

#20. Tazewell County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: +0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
-Total Labor Force: 16,150 (624 unemployed)
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Wise County

#19. Wise County — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -2.1%
-Total Labor Force: 14,303 (554 unemployed)
Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Covington

#18. Covington — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -2.0%
-Total Labor Force: 2,427 (95 unemployed)
Smash the Iron Cage // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Norfolk

#17. Norfolk — - Current Unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.9%
-Total Labor Force: 109,500 (4,221 unemployed)
Ewelch1 // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Buckingham County

#16. Buckingham County — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
-Total Labor Force: 6,283 (252 unemployed)
Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Newport News

#15. Newport News — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
-Total Labor Force: 87,890 (3,477 unemployed)
Petra holden // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Hampton

#14. Hampton — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
-Total Labor Force: 64,015 (2,647 unemployed)
JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Lynchburg

#13. Lynchburg — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.2%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
-Total Labor Force: 35,404 (1,475 unemployed)
Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Franklin

#12. Franklin — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -2.5%
-Total Labor Force: 3,627 (157 unemployed)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Williamsburg

#11. Williamsburg — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
-Total Labor Force: 6,749 (292 unemployed)
SKM2000 // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lexington

#10. Lexington — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
-Total Labor Force: 2,280 (100 unemployed)
Zeete // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Portsmouth

#9. Portsmouth — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.5%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -2.2%
-Total Labor Force: 43,939 (1,973 unemployed)
U.S. Navy photo // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Sussex County

#8. Sussex County — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.6%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -2.1%
-Total Labor Force: 3,742 (172 unemployed)
Puddin Tain // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Brunswick County

#7. Brunswick County — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.9%
-Total Labor Force: 6,119 (289 unemployed)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Martinsville

#6. Martinsville — - Current Unemployment rate: 4.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -2.9%
-Total Labor Force: 5,978 (286 unemployed)
Sleddog116 // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Buchanan County

#5. Buchanan County — - Current Unemployment rate: 5.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -2.7%
-Total Labor Force: 6,587 (327 unemployed)
Tburgess68 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Emporia

#4. Emporia — - Current Unemployment rate: 5.2%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -2.2%
-Total Labor Force: 2,638 (138 unemployed)
DanTD // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Hopewell

#3. Hopewell — - Current Unemployment rate: 5.2%
--- 1 month change: +0.1%
--- 1 year change: -2.3%
-Total Labor Force: 9,453 (492 unemployed)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Danville

#2. Danville — - Current Unemployment rate: 5.3%
--- 1 month change: +0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
-Total Labor Force: 19,957 (1,059 unemployed)
Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Petersburg

#1. Petersburg — - Current Unemployment rate: 6.9%
--- 1 month change: +0.1%
--- 1 year change: -3.6%
-Total Labor Force: 12,426 (855 unemployed)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

Michael Martz (804) 649-6964

mmartz@timesdispatch.com

@mmartzrtd on Twitter