RALEIGH —Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in September, increased in two, and remained unchanged in three. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.6 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 7.0 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.8 percent. The September not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.8 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) increased in September by 60,287 to 4,623,326, while those unemployed decreased 9,771 to 231,744. Since September 2015, the number of workers employed statewide increased 124,718, while those unemployed decreased 24,872.
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, November 18, 2016 when the state unemployment rate for October 2016 will be released.
Bladen County was at 6.4. Other southeastern county unemployment was Brunswick 5.9, Columbus 5.8, Sampson 5.2 and Pender 5.0.
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