Winchester-area jobless rate dips

Unemployment at the top of Virginia dipped to 7.4 percent in July, continuing an improving trend in 2010.

According to the Virginia Employment Commission, there were 4,754 residents of Winchester, Frederick County and Hampshire County, W.Va., drawing jobless benefits during the week of July 11-17, which was 87 fewer claims than the VEC's sample week in June.

Excluding Hampshire County, the area jobless rate stood at 6.9 percent.

Among the state's metro areas, only Northern Virginia (5.2 percent), Charlottesville (6.3 percent) and Harrisonburg (6.9 percent) had lower rates than Winchester in July.

Across the region, Clarke (5.9 percent), Frederick (6.8 percent) and Rappahannock (5.8 percent) saw a their jobless rates drop, while Shenandoah (8.6 percent), Warren (6.9 percent) and Winchester (7.4 percent) posted an increase.

Statewide, the figure was unchanged at 7.1 percent.

Daily Staff Report