RALEIGH —Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 88 of North Carolina’s counties in August, increased in four, and remained unchanged in eight. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.2 percent. The August not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.9 percent.
Counties With Rates Counties With Rates Counties With Rates 5% or Below Between 5% and 10% 10% or Above August 81 19 0 July (Revised).
Southeastern counties and their rates are: Bladen 5.4, Brunswick 4.7, Columbus 5.3, Duplin 4.3, New Hanover 3.6, Pender 4, Robeson 5.9, Sampson 4.1.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties. All 15 metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in August by 80,976 to 4,765,485, while those unemployed decreased 11,496 to 194,685. Since August 2017, the number of workers employed statewide increased 64,951, while those unemployed decreased 43,392.
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, October 19, 2018 when the state unemployment rate for September 2018 will be released.
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