Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in November and increased in three. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.0 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.2 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.7 percent. The November 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% | |
| November | 92 | 8 | 0 |
| October (revised) | 87 | 13 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in November by 12,364 to 4,896,622, while those unemployed decreased by 15,601 to 170,606. Since November 2020, the number of workers employed statewide increased 173,360, while those unemployed decreased 144,592.
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 Tuesday, January 25, 2022 when the state unemployment rate for December 2021 will be released.