Jobless rates rise in 26 of 55 West Virginia counties

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Unemployment rates rose in 26 of West Virginia’s 55 counties in November.

WorkForce West Virginia says jobless rates dropped in 21 counties and remained steady in eight others.

Jefferson County’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate of 2.9 percent was the lowest in the state, followed by Pendleton County at 3.3 percent and Berkeley and Monongalia counties at 3.5 percent apiece.

McDowell County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.2 percent. Calhoun County was next at 8.8 percent and Wyoming County was at 8 percent.

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