Patrick County’s unemployment rate decreased slightly in September, according to the most recent data available from the Virginia Employment Commission.

The rate fell from 4.5 percent in August to 4.2 percent in September, with 7,204 of the 7,521 labor force employed and 317 jobless, data showed.

In August, the labor force totaled 7,496, according to the VEC. Data showed 7,162 were employed and 334 were unemployed.

In Henry County, the rate also fell, from 4.9 percent in August to 4.7 percent in September, according to the VEC.

Data showed that 21,224 of Henry County’s labor force of 22,274 were employed in September and 1,050 were unemployed, the VEC showed.

In August, 21,338 of the total 22,439 labor force were employed, with 1,101 jobless, records showed.

The City of Martinsville’s unemployment rate fell from 7.3 percent in August to 6.7 percent in September, according to the data.

Martinsville’s labor force is 5,200, including 4,851 employed and 349 unemployed, according to the data.

In August, the labor force was 5,262, according to the data. Of that total, 4,876 were employed and 386 were jobless.

At 3.6 percent, Virginia has the second lowest unemployment rate, along with Florida, among major U.S. states behind Tennessee, according to a release from Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office.

“When this administration began, our unemployment rate stood at 5.4 percent. After nearly four years of attracting new businesses and rebuilding our economic infrastructure from the ground up, it has fallen all the way to 3.6 percent,” McAuliffe said. “I am so proud of the work this team has done to grow and diversify Virginia’s economy and lay a foundation for decades of economic growth to come. This is great news.”

“I’m pleased to see Virginia’s unemployment rate decrease to the lowest rate since March 2008,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore. “Working with our private sector partners, the General Assembly, localities, and others, we are providing more Virginians with the tools necessary to get good-paying jobs in the new Virginia economy.  We are expanding job opportunities and pro-business initiatives across the Commonwealth, positioning Virginia to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”