First-time unemployment claims spike 63% in Henrico

The number of first-time unemployment claims filed in Henrico County during the most recent reporting week jumped to its highest level in nearly three months, according to data released Thursday by the Virginia Employment Commission.

A total of 510 Henricoans filed initial claims during the week of March 21-27 – the most since 587 did so the week of Jan. 3-9, and a jump of 63% from the previous week (when 313 people filed).

Though Henrico’s jump was significant, the county – Virginia’s seventh-larger locality – still fared better than the 11 others that witnessed even more initial claims, led by Alexandria (1,720). Overall, five localities, including Richmond, witnessed more than 1,000 such claims during the most recent week; there had been only three occasions since early January when any locality saw that many first-time claims in a single week.

Henrico’s continuing claims continued their slow decline during the most recent week, dropping from 1,872 to 1,856 – their fifth straight decrease.