Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in October. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.6 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 4.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.8 percent. The October not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.
| Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% | |
| October | 92 | 8 | 0 |
| September (revised) | 98 | 2 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 99 counties and increased in one. All 15 metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in October by 37,944 to 4,842,983, while those unemployed increased 18,694 to 170,887. Since October 2017, the number of workers employed statewide increased 82,496, while those unemployed decreased 40,647.
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, December 21, 2018 when the state unemployment rate for November 2018 will be released.