Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.1 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 4.9 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.8 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.
| Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% | |
| April | 91 | 9 | 0 |
| March (revised) | 76 | 23 | 1 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 41 counties, increased in 28, and remained unchanged in 31. Eight metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year, three increased, and four remained unchanged.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in April by 25,602 to 4,884,935, while those unemployed decreased 26,548 to 179,910. Since April 2018, the number of workers employed statewide increased 90,162, while those unemployed decreased 327.
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, June 21, 2019 when the state unemployment rate for May 2019 will be released