03/28/2024
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RALEIGH —Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.9 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.0 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

Bladen County for April had an unemployment rate of 5.1%. Other southeastern North Carolina counties were: Brunswick 4.7, Columbus 4.6, Duplin 4.1, Pender 3.8, Robeson 5.6 and Sampson 3.8. When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 95 counties, increased in three, and remained unchanged in two. All 15 metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in April by 20,026 to 4,799,821, while those unemployed decreased 29,941 to 185,478. Since April 2017, the number of workers employed statewide increased 78,248, while those unemployed decreased 17,614.

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, June 15, 2018 when the state unemployment rate for May 2018 will be released.

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