Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in February and increased in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 12.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.5 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.4 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.2 percent.
| Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% | |
| February | 68 | 31 | 1 |
| January (revised) | 60 | 39 | 1 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 96 counties, increased in three, and remained unchanged in one. All 15 metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in February by 58,761 to 4,825,338, while those unemployed decreased 14,280 to 211,243. Since February 2018, the number of workers employed statewide increased 68,468, while those unemployed decreased 6,615.
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 Thursday, April 18, 2019 when the state unemployment rate for March 2019 will be released.