Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.3 percent.
North Carolina’s July 2017 unemployment rate decreased 0.8 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 989 over the month to 4,699,771 and increased 76,538 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 7,005 over the month to 200,752 and decreased 39,162 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 8,800 to 4,414,400 in July. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities at 3,300, followed by Education & Health Services, 2,700; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,500; Government, 1,900; Professional & Business Services, 1,400; Financial Activities, 900; and Information, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Construction, 2,400; Other Services, 1,300; and Manufacturing, 500. Mining & Logging industry employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since July 2016
| July 2016 | Aug 2016 | Sep 2016 | Oct 2016 | Nov 2016 | Dec 2016 | Jan 2017 | Feb 2017 | Mar 2017 | Apr 2017 | May 2017 | June 2017 | July 2017 | |
| N.C. | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| U.S. | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
* Please note: 2016 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since July 2016, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 64,400 with the Total Private sector growing by 55,000 and Government increasing by 9,400. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 27,600, followed by Education & Health Services, 13,600; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 11,900; Government, 9,400; Other Services, 4,200; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,900; Financial Activities, 2,900; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Information, 6,100; Construction, 2,500; and Manufacturing, 700.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30, 2017 when the county unemployment rates for July 2017 will be released.