Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in three. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.4 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.1 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.6 percent. The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.4 percent.
Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% | |
June | 64 | 36 | 0 |
May (revised) | 79 | 21 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 95 counties, decreased in two, and remained unchanged in three. Fourteen metro areas experienced rate increases over the year and one decreased.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in June by 4,484 to 4,919,894, while those unemployed increased 23,191 to 229,035. Since June 2018, the number of workers employed statewide increased 113,062, while those unemployed increased 19,679.
It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2019 when the state unemployment rate for July 2019 will be released.