—Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 83 of North Carolina's counties in October, decreased in six, and remained unchanged in 11. Scotland and Graham Counties had the highest unemployment rates, each at 10.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.1 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one experienced a decrease. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 7.7 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 4.4 percent. The October not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.5 percent.
|
|
Counties With Rates |
Counties With Rates |
Counties With Rates |
|
5% or Below |
Between 5% and 10% |
10% or Above |
|
|
October |
16 |
82 |
2 |
|
September (Revised) |
22 |
76 |
2 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 58 counties, decreased in 29, and remained unchanged in 13. Nine metro areas experienced rate increases over the year while two decreased and four remained unchanged.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in October by 23,581 to 4,523,005 while those unemployed increased 8,253 to 264,355. Since October 2014, the number of workers employed statewide increased 104,464, while those unemployed increased 10,140.
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, December 18, 2015 when the state unemployment rate for November 2015 will be released.