Virginia's unemployment rate is at a three-year low.
The Virginia Employment Commission says the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January was 5.8 percent. That's down from 6.2 percent in December and down from 6.4 percent in January 2011.
The rate had been decreasing since peaking at 7.3 percent from December 2010, but had risen slightly from July through September last year.
Officials say non-farm employment decreased by 64,500 jobs in January but was still 1.3 percent above a year ago.
Virginia's rate is still below the national average, which dropped to 8.3 percent in January.
The Labor Department says unemployment rates fell in 45 states and the District of Columbia, one state saw its rate increase and four states had no rate changes.
“While this is positive news, the reality is that too many Virginians are still unemployed," Governor McDonnell said in a news release. "That is why we will continue to work tirelessly to bring new jobs and more opportunities to the Commonwealth."
