Governor Roy Cooper has announced that North Carolina has received a $6 million federal grant to support jobs and workforce training to help address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Getting more North Carolinians back to work in a safe way is a critical part of rebuilding our economy,” Governor Cooper said. “This grant will help workers and families that have been struggling financially due to COVID-19 get back on their feet.”
Demographic and location data about the people applying for unemployment insurance benefits in April was published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The new data regarding claims for benefits include details such as age range, the industries impacted, and the number of claims received from each of the state’s 100 counties.
Today, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland announced that Pryor Gibson will serve as the Assistant Secretary for the Division of Employment Security (DES). He assumes the role immediately, and will be responsible for the Division’s operations, communication and accountability.
“Pryor Gibson is a forceful presence to lead DES during this unprecedented economic stress,” said Secretary Copeland.
The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 12.2 percent, increasing 7.9 percentage points from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 10.3 percentage points to 14.7 percent.
North Carolina’s April 2020 unemployment rate increased 8.1 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 643,157 over the month to 4,112,383 and decreased 744,300 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 357,418 over the month to 573,118 and increased 367,922 over the year.
More information about the people applying for unemployment insurance benefits in North Carolina in March was published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The new data regarding claims for benefits include details about the applicants’ demographics, the industries impacted, and the number of claims received from each of the state’s 100 counties.
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in March, decreased in two, and remained unchanged in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.1 percent, while Buncombe, Alexander, and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 5.5 percent and Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest rate at 3.6 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.2 percent.
The state’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, increasing 0.8 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.9 of a percentage point to 4.4 percent.
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in February. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent, while Buncombe and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 2.9 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 4.9 percent and Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest rate at 3.1 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.
The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.
North Carolina’s February 2020 unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 6,250 over the month to 4,931,991 and increased 84,031 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,293 over the month to 182,598 and decreased 22,068 over the year.
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 14.2 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 5.3 percent and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.4 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent.