Topics Related to Workforce

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 75 counties in July 2025, increased in 11, and remained unchanged in 14. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.8 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.3 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.2 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.8 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted July 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from June’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 664 over the month to 5,090,536 and decreased 3,550 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,844 over the month to 195,068 and increased 2,157 over the year.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is inviting residents across the state to help shape North Carolina’s economic future by participating in a series of public listening sessions starting Aug. 27. These sessions will give North Carolinians a direct opportunity to share ideas, concerns, and priorities that will inform the state’s next Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina has received a $4 million federal grant to help incarcerated people gain job skills as they prepare to reenter society.

Today, Governor Josh Stein and First Lady Anna Stein, along with members of the Governor’s Cabinet and other agency leaders, learned about life after incarceration when they participated in a reentry simulation organized by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC). The simulation replicated the challenges people face as they transition back into society.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 92 counties in June 2025, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in four. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.8 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.3 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.4 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.0 percent.

Today in partnership with Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced the official kickoff of the state’s next Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan, which will seek input from North Carolinians throughout the state and is expected to be published in spring 2026.

The state’s seasonally adjusted June 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from May’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 3,023 over the month to 5,089,852 and decreased 6,560 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 464 over the month to 197,019 and increased 5,610 over the year.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley has appointed Kenny Flowers to serve as the new Chief Deputy Secretary for the Department of Commerce, assuming leadership of key operational areas and strategic initiatives, effective August 1, 2025.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 counties in May 2025, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in three. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.9 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one decreased. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.9 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.