The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point to 5.4 percent.
North Carolina’s July 2021 unemployment rate decreased 4.4 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 8,361 over the month to 4,777,400 and increased 278,125 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 9,579 over the month to 222,315 and decreased 210,978 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 75,600 to 4,580,800 in July. Major industries experiencing increases were Government, 53,800; Professional & Business Services, 10,700; Construction, 4,300; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,800; Manufacturing, 3,100; Financial Activities, 600; and Other Services, 600. Major industries experiencing decreases were Education & Health Services, 900; and Information, 400. Mining & Logging and Trade, Transportation & Utilities employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since July 2020
| July 2020 | August 2020 | Sep 2020 | Oct 2020 | Nov 2020 | Dec 2020 | Jan 2021 | Feb 2021 | Mar 2021 | Apr 2021 | May 2021 | June 2021 | July 2021 | |
| N.C. | 8.8 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| U.S. | 10.2 | 8.4 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.4 |
* Please note: 2020 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since July 2020, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 270,200 with the Total Private sector increasing by 215,400 and Government increasing by 54,800. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 70,200; Government, 54,800; Professional & Business Services, 46,100; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 34,700; Manufacturing, 23,800; Construction, 16,100; Education & Health Services, 8,100; Information, 5,800; Other Services, 5,800; Financial Activities, 4,600; and Mining & Logging, 200.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, September 1, 2021 when the county unemployment rates for July 2021 will be released.