Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in three. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.0 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.3 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.4 percent. The June 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 10% or Above | |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 76 | 24 | 0 |
| May (Revised) | 87 | 13 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 94 counties, increased in one, and remained unchanged in five. All 15 metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in June by 4,194 to 4,831,175, while those unemployed increased 27,361 to 212,051. Since June 2017, the number of workers employed statewide increased 103,355, while those unemployed decreased 13,887.
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, August 17, 2018 when the state unemployment rate for July 2018 will be released.