RALEIGH —Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 96 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in four. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.2 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.9 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 7.5 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 4.1 percent. The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.2 percent.
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 June by 16,521 to 4,610,373 while those unemployed increased 20,931 to 250,385. Since June 2015, the number of workers employed statewide increased 98,317, while those unemployed decreased 44,144.
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.
Southeastern N.C. rates..Bladen 6.8, Brunswick 5.8, Columbus 6.4, Sampson 5.4, Pender 5.3.
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