Jobless numbers jump in state, Danville area

RICHMOND — Virginia’s unemployment rate inched up in May with Danville having the highest job-less numbers among the state’s metropolitan areas.

The Virginia Employment Commission reported Tuesday that the seasonally unadjusted rate rose 0.4 of a percentage point in May to 7 percent last month. Labor analysts said the rise in unemployment came as college graduates and students started looking for jobs.

Layoffs at car parts suppliers in Virginia also contributed.

The Danville metropolitan area’s jobless rate for May was 13 percent, compared to 6.8 percent in May 2008.

Virginia’s seasonally adjusted May rate of 7.1 percent is well below the U.S. average of 9.4 percent.

The city of Martinsville continues to claim Virginia’s top jobless rate — 21.9 percent. Twenty-four ju-risdictions reported double-digit unemployment in May.