Gilmer Free Press
Unemployment Rate Rises in all WV Counties
West Virginia’s unemployment rate jumped nearly 2% to 10.5% in January 2010.
All counties reported rising unemployment rates as well.
The number of counties recording an unemployment rate considered much worse than average when compared to the state rate declined slightly in January.
This group included Grant (15.9%), Wirt (16.2%), Clay (16.5%), Wetzel (16.8%), Roane (16.8%), and Calhoun (21.3%).
The number of counties recording an unemployment rate considered better than average when compared to the state rate was unchanged in January.
This group included Cabell (8.7%), Kanawha (8.6%), Marion (8.5%), Putnam (8.2%), and Jefferson (7.8%).
Once again, Monongalia (5.8%) was the sole county recording an unemployment rate considered much better than average when compared to the state rate.
Calhoun County (21.3%) recorded the worst unemployment
Unemployment Rates for area Counties:
| Total Unemployed | Unemployment % | |||||
| Jan 2010 | Dec 2009 | Jan 2009 | Jan 2010 | Dec 2009 | Jan 2009 | |
| Braxton | 770 | 570 | 490 | 13.0% | 9.9% | 8.5% |
| Calhoun | 610 | 440 | 360 | 21.3% | 15.7% | 13.1% |
| Doddridge | 290 | 250 | 190 | 10.5% | 8.8% | 7.0% |
| Gilmer | 290 | 240 | 190 | 9.2% | 7.6% | 5.9% |
| Lewis | 800 | 610 | 480 | 10.7% | 8.4% | 6.6% |
| Ritchie | 490 | 390 | 380 | 11.5% | 9.3% | 8.8% |
| WV | 82400 | 67100 | 52800 | 10.5% | 8.6% | 6.5% |