The latest unemployment statistics show a sharp improvement for Danville. The Virginia Employment Commission this week reported Danville's rate was 9.1 percent in March, compared with 9.7 percent in February.
The improvement came as the city netted 116 new jobs in March from February. In March, 17,261 residents were employed, compared with 17,145 in February.
In year-to-year comparisons from the previous five years, Danville's unemployment rate was 10.3 percent in March 2012, 11.6 percent in March 2011, 15.1 percent in March 2010, 12.9 percent in March 2209, and 8.4 percent in March 2008.
Surrounding localities also showed sharp improvement in March from February. Pittsylvania County’s jobless rate dropped to 6.2 percent in March vs. 6.8 percent in February; Martinsville, 14.4 percent vs. 15.4 percent; Henry County, 8.8 percent vs. 9.6 percent; and Halifax County, 8.7 percent vs. 9.3 percent.