Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in May, decreased in three, and remained unchanged in two. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.8 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.5 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.3 percent. The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.0 percent.
Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% | |
May | 79 | 21 | 0 |
April (revised) | 91 | 9 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 94 counties, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in two. Fourteen metro areas experienced rate increases over the year and one decreased.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in May by 30,301 to 4,916,851, while those unemployed increased 25,786 to 205,783. Since May 2018, the number of workers employed statewide increased 95,684, while those unemployed increased 22,725.
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, July 19, 2019 when the state unemployment rate for June 2019 will be released.