Jobless rates rise in 39 of 55 West Virginia counties

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Unemployment rates rose in 39 of West Virginia’s 55 counties in October.

WorkForce West Virginia says unemployment rates dropped in Clay and Pendleton counties and was unchanged in 14 other counties.

Pendleton County’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate of 2.8 percent was the lowest in the state, followed by Jefferson County at 3.1 percent and Doddridge County at 3.5 percent.

McDowell County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent. Wyoming County was next at 6.8 percent followed by Mingo County was at 6.7 percent.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.2 percent in October. The national rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent.