Sunday, January 20, 2013

Unemployment Continues to Climb in Webster County


The unemployment rate in Webster County climbed yet again, now standing at a whopping 13.7 percent for December, 2012.

According to data from WorkForceWV.org, unemployment increased in 53 of West Virginia's 55 counties. Only Brooke and Pocahontas counties saw decreases. The statewide average climbed to 7.5 percent for December, 2012.

Webster County maintained its hold on being the county with the second highest unemployment in the State. Likewise, neighboring Clay County kept its number one distinction, with unemployment in Clay at 14.9 percent for December, 2012.

Only three counties, Putnam, Jefferson, and Monongalia, had unemployment rates below 6 percent. Joining Clay and Webster with unemployment rates above 11 percent were Calhoun, Roane, Wetzel, Wyoming, and Grant counties. 

Most interesting of the counties on the list with unemployment in excess of 11 percent is Wetzel County (at 11.5 percent). Wetzel County has been the focus of intense Marcellus Shale gas drilling in the past few years. Because most of those drilling jobs were occupied by out of state workers and were short term in nature at that, the alleged job boon from this type of gas drilling has had little effect if any on the local job market in Wetzel County. This should be "food for thought" when the gas drilling industry comes knocking on Webster County's doors with shallow promises of job creation.

For further details about the unemployment rates, please click on this link:

1 comment:

  1. May not be many jobs in webster but u can live there and work elsewhere. If people want to work instead of being lazy they sure.could. i dont understand people i grew up in webster i have a long past there but im proud to say i have a job and a life i can say i earned everything i have. Thanks to those who helped guide my direction. Welfare checks and ssi checks come way to.easy for those to work for anything. Make those harder and unemployment will go way down even tho i drive 60 miles to work a day and pass several places that habe signs that say now hireing or help wanted. Why so high unemployment????
    And my name is basil hamrick jr and i say that proud comming from a family that grew up with welfare and most all of them still there living for the next first of the month check having nothing in life. I plan on having lots and earning every last inch of it.

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