Counties with the highest unemployment in West Virginia

2024 ended on a high note, with the unemployment rate relatively unchanged at 4.1%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Jan. 10.

Unemployment rates were higher in November than the prior year in 308 of 389 metro areas, though they dropped in 60 areas and remained unchanged in 21 areas, the BLS reported.

The lion's share of job growth remained in government, social assistance, and health care, with openings in nursing, residential care facilities, and home health care leading employment in the latter sector.

To get a glimpse of regional variations in employment, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rates in West Virginia, using BLS data. Counties are ranked by their preliminary unemployment rate in November 2024, with initial ties broken by the number of unemployed people within that county, though some ties may remain. County-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Key takeaways: Biden's economic legacy, inauguration day, and immigration's impact on jobs

The latest BLS report highlights the final job figures under the Biden administration, giving the outgoing president a win during his final weeks in office. President Biden highlighted the creation of 16.6 million jobs during his term in a Jan. 11 statement.

"Although I inherited the worst economic crisis in decades with unemployment above 6% when I took office, we've had the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in 50 years with unemployment at 4.1% as I leave," he said.

Incoming President-elect Donald Trump will inherit a strong economy, with forecasts tracking ongoing growth into 2025. However, uncertainty remains. Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign goods coupled with a sweeping deportation operation may have a significant impact on the economy, accelerating inflation and tamping down job growth, some experts forecast.

"I worry that immigration will be significantly lower than the long-term average of 1.0 million. I worry that tariffs will be universal and lead to a trade war. That would not be good for the economy and earnings," Hugh Johnson, chairman emeritus at Graypoint, told U.S. News.

What does all this mean for middle-class Americans? The unemployment rate is projected to remain stable, only creeping up to 4.3%, according to the Federal Reserve's latest Summary of Economic Projections. Experts suggest paying down mortgages, revisiting investment strategies, and paying attention to taxes before rates possibly shift as Inauguration Day draws close.

The big story: California wildfires still rage

Although Goldman predicts only a "modest drag" on U.S. jobs due to the devastating California wildfires, the situation is still ongoing. Small businesses destroyed by the fires will impact local jobs; in the wake of the fires, a surge in construction and the need for labor and materials might lead to localized shortages and rising costs, impacting several industries.

However, amid political and environmental uncertainty, it's unclear which way the winds will blow. Americans will have to simply wait for the smoke to clear.

To get a better idea of your community's current economy, read on to see the counties with the highest unemployment in West Virginia.

#55. Pendleton County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,813 people (88 unemployed)

#54. Jefferson County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.5%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 30,837 people (760 unemployed)

#53. Hampshire County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,229 people (294 unemployed)

#52. Tucker County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.7%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,622 people (99 unemployed)

#51. Monongalia County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.8%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 55,377 people (1,546 unemployed)

#50. Taylor County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.0%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,802 people (234 unemployed)

#49. Morgan County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 8,480 people (254 unemployed)

#48. Putnam County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.0%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 26,402 people (790 unemployed)

#47. Doddridge County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,700 people (114 unemployed)

#46. Monroe County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.1%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: No change
- Total labor force: 6,159 people (188 unemployed)

#45. Greenbrier County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.1%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 14,783 people (463 unemployed)

#44. Ohio County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.1%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 19,989 people (616 unemployed)

#43. Harrison County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.1%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 33,894 people (1,064 unemployed)

#42. Grant County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: No change
- Total labor force: 5,997 people (194 unemployed)

#41. Berkeley County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.2%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 58,018 people (1,838 unemployed)

#40. Preston County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.3%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 15,512 people (506 unemployed)

#39. Raleigh County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.4%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 30,020 people (1,018 unemployed)

#38. Cabell County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.4%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 40,662 people (1,379 unemployed)

#37. Kanawha County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.4%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 80,858 people (2,755 unemployed)

#36. Summers County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.5%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,404 people (155 unemployed)

#35. Wood County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.5%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 36,400 people (1,291 unemployed)

#34. Hardy County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,900 people (218 unemployed)

#33. Wayne County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 15,257 people (568 unemployed)

#32. Marion County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: No change
- Total labor force: 24,563 people (911 unemployed)

#31. Wyoming County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.8%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,037 people (268 unemployed)

#30. Mineral County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.8%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 12,041 people (455 unemployed)

#29. Marshall County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.9%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 13,100 people (515 unemployed)

#28. Barbour County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,902 people (276 unemployed)

#27. Mason County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,167 people (407 unemployed)

#26. Fayette County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 15,891 people (643 unemployed)

#25. Upshur County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 9,749 people (403 unemployed)

#24. Jackson County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,432 people (464 unemployed)

#23. Mercer County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 20,411 people (843 unemployed)

#22. Lewis County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,898 people (247 unemployed)

#21. Boone County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,166 people (301 unemployed)

#20. Wirt County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,224 people (95 unemployed)

#19. Lincoln County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,884 people (300 unemployed)

#18. Randolph County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,457 people (508 unemployed)

#17. Nicholas County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 8,898 people (401 unemployed)

#16. Logan County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,662 people (481 unemployed)

#15. Webster County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,950 people (137 unemployed)

#14. Pocahontas County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 1.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,610 people (167 unemployed)

#13. Ritchie County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,746 people (175 unemployed)

#12. Brooke County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 9,455 people (457 unemployed)

#11. Gilmer County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,327 people (118 unemployed)

#10. Clay County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,988 people (153 unemployed)

#9. Wetzel County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,196 people (321 unemployed)

#8. Hancock County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 12,470 people (649 unemployed)

#7. Pleasants County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,634 people (139 unemployed)

#6. Braxton County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 1.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,988 people (264 unemployed)

#5. Tyler County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,784 people (149 unemployed)

#4. Mingo County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.4%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,674 people (359 unemployed)

#3. Roane County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,985 people (285 unemployed)

#2. McDowell County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.8%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,934 people (268 unemployed)

#1. Calhoun County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 8.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 1.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,360 people (190 unemployed)

This story features data reporting by Elena Cox, writing by Alizah Salario, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.