Alexandria’s unemployment rate has been cut roughly in half since this time last year, the Virginia Employment Commission revealed in a recent report.
As of May 2021, Alexandria’s unemployment rate was 3.9%, with 3,814 residents filing claims. The city’s unemployment rate in 2020 was 8.1%, with 7,950 residents getting unemployment payments.
Alexandria’s 98,250 person Civilian labor force is roughly the same in number as it was this time last year.
For the week ending June 19, there were 135 initial (first-time) claims, down slightly from the previous week’s 157 claims. There were also 1,054 continued claims, which was a reduction from the 1,284 claims from the previous week.
Next door in Arlington, the unemployment rate in May 2021 was 3.1%, down from 5.8% in May 2020.
Looking for work? The Alexandria Workforce Development Center hosts weekly workshops, and there are a number of job openings with the city.
Learn more about filing a weekly or continued claim here.
Recent Stories

If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.