Find a Job You Really Want In
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your home, you may be considering a job switch within your community. Understanding the ease of finding a job in your area is crucial. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of Virginia cities with the strongest job markets based on current unemployment rates.
Many residents choose their locations due to employment opportunities. Whether you’re relocating to Virginia for personal reasons or exploring job options in advance, knowing the strength of the local job market is critical for your career decisions.
To identify which cities have the lowest unemployment rates, we analyzed data from the Census Bureau, focusing on areas with significant populations. Here’s our ranking of Virginia cities with the most favorable job markets:
- Vienna(Jobs)
- Christiansburg(Jobs)
- Falls Church(Jobs)
- Charlottesville(Jobs)
- Leesburg(Jobs)
- Manassas Park(Jobs)
- Poquoson(Jobs)
- Alexandria(Jobs)
- Salem(Jobs)
- Waynesboro(Jobs)
For employers, a low unemployment rate reflects a robust community, making Vienna the standout choice in Virginia.
Continue reading to discover how we identified these cities as having the most promising employment opportunities.
For more insights on job opportunities in Virginia, check out:
How We Determined the Cities in Virginia with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To pinpoint the cities with the most favorable employment situations, we focused on locations with populations exceeding 12,000. This analysis yielded 38 cities in Virginia.
Using the latest unemployment data from the American Community Survey, we ranked cities based on their unemployment rates to identify the top performers.
The unemployment rate serves as a key indicator of the job market’s health, influencing job seekers considering moves within the state or beyond.
Our ranking system assigned positions from one to 38, with the most employed city receiving the top spot. In cases of ties, larger cities were prioritized.
If your city isn’t in the top ten, scroll down to view a detailed chart of all cities.
1. Vienna
Population: 16,173
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
Vienna tops our list with an impressive unemployment rate of just 3.2%, distinguishing itself as the leading city in Virginia for job seekers.
2. Christiansburg
Population: 21,427
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Christiansburg holds a solid second place with a respectable unemployment rate of 3.9%, making it an attractive option for job seekers.
3. Falls Church
Population: 13,074
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
Falls Church rounds out the podium with a 4.2% unemployment rate, signifying a strong job market.
4. Charlottesville
Population: 44,505
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Charlottesville, home to 44,505 residents, ranks fourth and is an excellent choice for launching your career.
5. Leesburg
Population: 46,211
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Leesburg shares the fourth position with Charlottesville but is noted for its thriving job market and appealing lifestyle.
6. Manassas Park
Population: 14,992
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
Manassas Park comes in sixth with a solid unemployment rate of 4.4%, making it a viable option for those seeking employment.
7. Poquoson
Population: 12,103
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Poquoson occupies the seventh spot with a 4.5% unemployment rate, reflecting a healthy job market.
8. Alexandria
Population: 146,422
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Alexandria is another strong contender, with a competitive unemployment rate of 4.5%, attracting job seekers from across Virginia.
9. Salem
Population: 25,120
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Salem stands strong in ninth place with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, making it a promising location for employment growth.
10. Waynesboro
Population: 21,177
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
Waynesboro wraps up our list at #10, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%, still an impressive figure among its peers.
Conclusion: Unemployment Trends Across Virginia
In summary, these are the ten cities in Virginia with the lowest unemployment rates, showcasing strong job markets for current and future residents.
If you’re considering relocating to Virginia, these cities should be at the top of your list for job opportunities.
For more insights and resources about job markets across the U.S., visit Zippia. Additionally, recent graduates can explore which states college grads tend to stay in and which states they abandon.
Here’s a quick look at the locations in Virginia with the highest unemployment rates:
- Petersburg
- Hopewell
- Danville
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Virginia
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna | 1 | 3.2% |
| Christiansburg | 2 | 3.9% |
| Falls Church | 3 | 4.2% |
| Charlottesville | 4 | 4.3% |
| Leesburg | 5 | 4.3% |
| Manassas Park | 6 | 4.4% |
| Poquoson | 7 | 4.5% |
| Alexandria | 8 | 4.5% |
| Salem | 9 | 4.8% |
| Waynesboro | 10 | 4.9% |
| Fairfax | 11 | 5.4% |
| Staunton | 12 | 5.6% |
| Virginia Beach | 13 | 6.1% |
| Herndon | 14 | 6.2% |
| Harrisonburg | 15 | 6.5% |
| Winchester | 16 | 6.7% |
| Blacksburg | 17 | 7.5% |
| Chesapeake | 18 | 7.5% |
| Manassas | 19 | 7.5% |
| Culpeper | 20 | 7.9% |
| Lynchburg | 21 | 8.0% |
| Suffolk | 22 | 8.0% |
| Roanoke | 23 | 8.3% |
| Colonial Heights | 24 | 8.3% |
| Williamsburg | 25 | 8.5% |
| Radford | 26 | 8.8% |
| Fredericksburg | 27 | 8.9% |
| Newport News | 28 | 9.1% |
| Front Royal | 29 | 9.6% |
| Hampton | 30 | 9.8% |
| Richmond | 31 | 10.0% |
| Bristol | 32 | 10.7% |
| Norfolk | 33 | 10.9% |
| Martinsville | 34 | 11.5% |
| Portsmouth | 35 | 11.6% |
| Danville | 36 | 12.7% |
| Hopewell | 37 | 12.8% |
| Petersburg | 38 | 13.0% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
