Virginia’s unemployment rate edges up in May, but still below national average

Virginia’s unemployment rate edges up in May

RICHMOND, Va. — While most parts of Virginia added jobs in May, the state’s unemployment rate edged up in May as the number of job seekers grew.

The Virginia Employment Commission said Friday its unadjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.9 percent in May from 6.7 percent in April. That compares with 6.7 percent last May.

The agency said the number of unemployed in Virginia grew by 9,800 last month because college graduates and students entered the labor force and state colleges started to reduce staff for the summer.

The national rate stood at 9.3 percent in May, down from 9.5 percent in April. The Labor Department says the unemployment rate fell in 37 states.