Topics Related to Workforce

The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.

North Carolina’s May 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 12,280 over the month to 4,774,254 and increased 64,944 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 5,969 over the month to 213,611 and decreased 6,727 over the year..   

The Government Performance Lab (GPL) at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University announced today that North Carolina will benefit from the assistance of a government performance expert, at no cost to taxpayers. This new collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Harvard Kennedy School marks the first time that the state has been awarded technical assistance by the GPL.  North Carolina was one of six jurisdictions selected to receive pro bono technical assistance. 

With Governor Roy Cooper in attendance, the NCWorks Commission met on May 23 to approve new Career Pathways, certify Career Centers and celebrate local innovations in workforce development. The group held its quarterly meeting at Moretz Mills in Hickory, marking the first time the Commission has met in western North Carolina.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.9 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.8 percent.  All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.0 percent.  The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent. .    

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.

North Carolina’s April 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 6,958 over the month to 4,762,284 and increased 64,768 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,958 over the month to 219,559 and decreased 5,169 over the year.   

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in March.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 12.7 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.3 percent.  All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.3 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.5 percent.  The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.3 percent.   

The state’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, remaining unchanged from February’s revised rate.  The national rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent.

North Carolina’s March 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 3,495 over the month to 4,755,447 and increased 69,723 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 131 over the month to 222,519 and decreased 7,754 over the year. 

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 74 of North Carolina’s counties in February, increased in 10, and remained unchanged in 16.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 14.9 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.5 percent.  Eleven of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases while four remained unchanged.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.7 percent.  The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.6 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, remaining unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent.

North Carolina’s February 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,236 over the month to 4,751,873 and increased 78,050 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 289 over the month to 222,545 and decreased 14,055 over the year.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 of North Carolina’s counties in January, decreased in one, and remained unchanged in six.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 14.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.6 percent.  Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases while one remained unchanged.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.9 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.7 percent.  The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.7 percent.