Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 93 of North Carolina’s counties in August, increased in two, and remained unchanged in five. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.7 percent while Chatham, Avery, Ashe, and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.4 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 6.4 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.7 percent. The August not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.4 percent.
| Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% | |
| August | 77 | 23 | 0 |
| July (revised) | 69 | 31 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in August by 11,417 to 4,805,512, while those unemployed decreased by 10,648 to 221,865. Since August 2020, the number of workers employed statewide increased 228,969, while those unemployed decreased 115,401.
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, October 22, 2021 when the state unemployment rate for September 2021 will be released.