Topics Related to Workforce

North Carolina will bolster its investments in business growth and the skills of young adults by expanding apprenticeship programs across the state.

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in May and remained unchanged in two.

—The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, decreasing 0.3 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate.  The national rate declined 0.3 of a percentage point to 4.7 percent.

—Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in three, and remained unchanged in two.

— The state's seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 5.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from March's revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent.

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina's counties in March. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.2 percent. All 15 of the state's metro areas experienced rate decreases.

—The state's seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, remaining unchanged from February's revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 5.0 percent.

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 32 of North Carolina's counties in February, increased in 30, and remained unchanged in 38. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 15.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.4 percent.

— The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent.

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 15.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.5 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.