The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Friday, June 29, 2012
By KEN BRADLEY - Staff Writer
Franklin County's jobless rate rose to 5.8 percent in May from the April rate of 5.5 percent, according to the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).
The Virginia unemployment rate also increased to 5.5 percent in May from the April rate of 5.4 percent.
Ann D. Lang, VEC senior economist, said the number of unemployed workers increased by 17, 278.
"The unemployment rate usually increases from April to May as college graduates and students enter the labor market seeking employment," Lang said.
The state unemployment rate continues to be below the U.S. jobless rate of 8.2 percent.
The VEC said 1,669 persons in Franklin County were unemployed in May and looking for a job. That's up from the 1,570 persons who were unemployed in April and seeking employment.
Lang said 27,183 persons were employed in Franklin County during May in a labor force size of 28,852.
May unemployment rates in neighboring cities and counties: Bedford City, 6.7 percent, down from 7.1 percent in April; Bedford County, 5.4 percent, up from 5.3 percent; Floyd County, 5.6 percent, up from 5.4 percent; Henry County, 9.3 percent, down from 9.4 percent; Martinsville, 14.4 percent, down from 15.9 percent; Patrick County, 7.4 percent, up from 7.2 percent; Pittsylvania County, 6.7 percent, down from 6.8 percent; Roanoke, 7.1 percent; down from 7.5 percent; Roanoke County, 5.0 percent, up from 4.8 percent; and Salem 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent.
The number of Virginians receiving regular unemployment benefits in May was 51,373, up from 49,748 in April.
The number of Franklin County residents drawing unemployment benefits in May was unavailable.
Franklin County's unemployment rate includes the towns of Rocky Mount and Boones Mill. |
| |
|
|
|
