The unemployment rate continued a downward trend for the third month in a row, according to data recently released by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).

Patrick County’s unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in April, according to the most recent data available.

The rate continues to decrease, from 4.7 percent in January to 4.6 percent in February and 4.3 percent in March, according to the VEC.

A total of 8,068 people made up the labor force in April, including 7,754 who are employed and 314 who are jobless, data showed.

The labor force includes the number of people employed, plus the number of job seekers.

Rates in some adjacent areas also declined in March, data showed.

Henry County’s unemployment rate for April was 5.2 percent, slightly down from 5.3 percent in March. According to the VEC, the 22,006 labor force in Henry County includes 20,857 employed, and 1,149 job-seekers.

In the City of Martinsville, April’s unemployment rate was 7 percent, from 7.1 percent in March, data showed. Martinsville’s 5,107 labor force included 4,749 employed and 358 seeking a job, data suggested.

VEC data suggests more Patrick County residents commute to work in Martinsville and Henry County more than in other adjacent areas.