—The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 4.7 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent.
North Carolina’s July 2016 unemployment rate was 1.0 percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 13,203 over the month to 4,601,491 and increased 114,518 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 12,953 over the month to 225,934, and decreased 47,154 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 12,000 to 4,340,600 in July. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Government at 5,200, followed by Professional & Business Services, 3,300; Financial Activities, 2,600; Construction, 1,900; Education & Health Services, 1,700; and Other Services, 1,300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 1,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,500; Information, 400; and Leisure & Hospitality Services, 400. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the month.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since July 2015
| Jul 2015 | Aug 2015 | Sep 2015 | Oct 2015 | Nov 2015 | Dec 2015 | Jan 2016 | Feb 2016 | Mar 2016 | Apr 2016 | May 2016 | June 2016 | July 2016 | |
| N.C. | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| U.S. | 5.3 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
* Please note: 2015 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since July 2015, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 94,100 with the Total Private sector growing by 79,200 and Government increasing by 14,900. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 28,600, followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 20,700; Government, 14,900; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 9,500; Education & Health Services, 8,900; Construction, 8,400; Other Services, 4,700; and Financial Activities, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 1,400; and Information, 400. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, August 31, 2016 when the county unemployment rates for July 2016 will be released.