The state’s seasonally adjusted December 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from November’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 increased 1,224 over the month to 5,066,954 and increased 5,467 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 188 over the month to 196,926 and increased 9,526 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 10,600 to 5,050,700 in December. Major industries experiencing increases were Professional & Business Services, 5,300; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,600; Education & Health Services, 1,800; Manufacturing, 900; Construction, 600; and Government, 600. Major industries experiencing decreases were Financial Activities, 900; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 700; Information, 500; and Other Services, 100. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since December 2023
| Area | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
* Please note: 2023 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since December 2023, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 85,100 with the Total Private sector increasing by 69,300 and Government increasing by 15,800. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 29,200; Professional & Business Services, 19,300; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 18,500; Government, 15,800; Construction, 8,700; Other Services, 5,300; and Financial Activities, 600. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 7,800; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,800; and Information, 700. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for December 2024 will be released.