When compared to the same month last year, unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 89 counties in November 2025, decreased in eight, and remained unchanged in three. Fourteen metro areas experienced rate increases over the year and one decreased. October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations.
Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.3 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 3.3 percent. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.7 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.6 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 85 | 15 | 0 |
*October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations*
Since November 2024, the number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased 531 to 5,072,337, while those unemployed increased 22,644 to 218,867.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026 when the statewide unemployment rate for December 2025 will be released.
###
Note to Editors: Supplemental data for this release is available via a live online dashboard.