Area's jobless rate dips in October to 6-month low

Employment in the Tri-Cities rose slightly in October and unemployment declined for the fourth month in a row as hiring got a seasonal boost from continued staffing growth at public and private schools, offsetting continued declines in tourism and construction.The number of people counted as employed in the region in October rose 0.07 percent to 212,802 from 212,656 in September, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number counted as unemployed also increased slightly, up 0.17 percent to 16,883 from 16,855 the month before, and the unemployment rate crept up to 7.35 percent from 7.34 percent in September.Excluding Chesterfield County, where the figures are skewed by the populous Richmond suburbs, employment in the Tri-Cities in October rose 0.07 percent to 56,452 from 56,414 in September. Unemployment declined 1.3 percent to 5,546 from 5,620 the month before, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.95 percent from 9.06 percent in September. It was the first time the jobless rate for the area fell below 9 percent since April and only the second month below that level since January 2009.Statewide, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.5 percent as hiring in what is now Virginia's largest employment sector, government, boosted total employment by 10,300 jobs. The second-largest industry segment, professional and business services, added 9,000 workers.On the downside, the leisure and hospitality services sector shed 17,700 workers statewide and construction employment fell by 1,700 jobs.October generally sees the lowest unemployment rates of the second half of the year, as businesses often start cutting production or closing facilities in November and December before closing their account books at year-end.Nationally, the unemployment rate fell slightly in October to 9.19 percent but rose modestly in November to 9.29 percent. The seasonally unadjusted national jobless rate has held stubbornly above 9 percent since May of 2009.Many economists have noted that the actual percentage of workers who want to work full-time but can't, including people who are no longer actively looking for jobs and those who have taken part-time work, is about double the official figure.Locally, Dinwiddie County had the lowest official unemployment rate in October, 6.6 percent, down from 6.7 percent in September. Chesterfield County followed at 6.76 percent, up from 6.71 percent the month before. Prince George County had the third-lowest jobless rate, 7.45 percent, despite a jump from 7.05 in September. Colonial Heights saw a dip in joblessness to 7.64 percent from 7.99 percent.Petersburg's unemployment rate of 12.30 percent, the region's highest, was a modest improvement from 12.34 percent in September. Hopewell's jobless rate of 10.44 was also an improvement from 11.15 percent the month before.- Michael Buettner may be reached at 722-5155 or mbuettner@progress-index.com.

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