igh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 66 of North Carolina’s counties in November, decreased in 23, and remained unchanged in 11. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.4 percent, while Buncombe County and Orange County each had the lowest at 3.7 percent. Six of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, five decreased, and four remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.8 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.9 percent. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.8 percent.
| Counties With Rates 5% or Below |
Counties With Rates Between 5% and 10% |
Counties With Rates 10% or Above |
|
| November | 51 | 49 | 0 |
| October (Revised) | 54 | 45 | 1 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 98 counties, increased in one, and remained unchanged in one. Fourteen metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year and one remained unchanged.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in November by 2,112 to 4,661,632, while those unemployed decreased 2,412 to 234,214. Since November 2015, the number of workers employed statewide increased 137,505, while those unemployed decreased 25,723.
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 24, 2017 when the state unemployment rate for December 2016 will be released.
This information may be accessed on the Commerce website at nccommerce.com/lead