Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 86 of North Carolina’s counties in October and remained the same in 14. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one remained the same. 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 October 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% | |
| October | 89 | 11 | 0 |
| September (revised) | 92 | 8 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 54 counties, decreased in 24, and remained the same in 22. Four of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases over the year, seven decreased, and four remained the same.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in October by 24,205 to 4,967,970, while those unemployed increased by 6,774 to 185,142. Since October 2018, the number of workers employed statewide increased 141,652, while those unemployed increased 4,053.
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 20, 2019 when the state unemployment rate for November 2019 will be released.