RALEIGH —Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s
counties in April. Dare County had the highest unemployment rate at 24.5 percent, while Bertie County
had the lowest at 6.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the
metro areas, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton had the highest rate at 17.6 percent and Durham-Chapel Hill and
Greenville each had the lowest rate at 9.5 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was
12.5 percent.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in
all 100 counties. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Bladen’s unemployment for April was at 9%. Other southeastern counties were: Columbus 11%, Brunswick 17.3%, Robeson 10.2%, Pender 12.6%, Sampson 7.2% and Cumberland 14.8%. The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in April by 676,373 to 4,090,238, while those unemployed increased by 372,497 to 585,304. Since April 2019, the number of workers employed statewide decreased 781,342, while those unemployed increased 406,392.
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 19, 2020, when the state unemployment
the rate for May 2020 will be released.
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