RALEIGH — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 85 of North Carolina’s counties in March, increased in three, and remained unchanged in 12, according to figures released Wednesday by the N.C. Department of Commerce.
Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.7 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.1 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
Southeastern North Carolina counties and their rates were: Bladen 4.6, Brunswick 4.8, Columbus 4.9, Cumberland 5.5, Duplin 3.3, New Hanover 3.1, Pender 3.2, Robeson 6.2 and Sampson 3.4.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, May 20 when the state unemployment rate for April 2022 will be released.
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