Unemployment in nearly all of W.Va.'s 55 counties rises

CHARLESTON -- A slight increase in February's unemployment resulted in higher rates in nearly all of West Virginia's 55 counties, including Cabell and Wayne counties.

Workforce West Virginia reported Friday that Calhoun County had the highest unemployment rate last month at 11.2 percent.

Other counties with unemployment rates well above the state's 5.8 percent rate were Clay, Greenbrier, Mason, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler and Wetzel.

Monongalia County had the lowest rate for the month, coming in at 3.4 percent.

Other counties with unemployment rates below the state's rate were Cabell, Gilmer, Jefferson, Kanawha, Marion and Putnam.

Cabell's rate rose from 4.4 in January to 4.8 in February, the same as February 2007. Wayne went from 5.7 to 6.2, up from 5.7 in February 2007.