SWAC area unemployment rates

Unemployment in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County remains higher than the state average but less than the national average, according to today's Staunton News Leader:

The net result was a rise of roughly 140 in the number of people out of work, to 4,200. That boosted the unemployment rate for Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County to 7.1 percent in November from 6.8 percent in October.
...
Although economists generally say the recession ended this past summer, area unemployment rates have generally climbed since then.

[Christine Chmura, chief economist at Richmond-based Chmura Economics and Analytics] thinks one reason unemployment remains high, in the Valley and across the nation, is a change in how companies responded to the recession. There were more permanent layoffs than temporary cuts or furloughs, she said.

"When it is time to hire, after permanent layoffs, the process takes longer," she said. "It's not like temporary layoffs when you already know the people."

Unemployment rates for Staunton have grown from 7.3% in November 2009 to 7.7% in November 2010. Waynesboro's numbers are worse, growing from 7.6% in November 2009 to 9% in November 2010. Augusta County fares the best with 6.3% unemployment in November 2009 and remaining the same in November 2009.

The state average in November 2009 was 6.5% and was 6.6% in November 2010. The national unemployment average remained high, 9.4% in November 2009 and was 9.3% in November 2010.