igh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 of North Carolina’s counties in July, decreased in three, and remained unchanged in four. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.6 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.6 percent. The July not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.5 percent.
| Counties With Rates 5% or Below |
Counties With Rates Between 5% and 10% |
Counties With Rates 10% or Above |
|
| July | 68 | 32 | 0 |
| June (Revised) | 75 | 25 | 0 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased all 100 counties. All fifteen metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in July by 27,629 to 4,735,426, while those unemployed increased 13,772 to 221,461. Since July 2016, the number of workers employed statewide increased 88,758, while those unemployed decreased 35,696.
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, September 15, 2017 when the state unemployment rate for August 2017 will be released.
This information may be accessed on the Commerce website at nccommerce.com/lead