Unemployment rates increased in 50 of North Carolina counties in February, decreased in 14 and remained unchanged 36.
North Carolina’s second-smallest county by population, Hyde County (4,634 residents), had the highest unemployment rate at 9.7%. Watauga County had the lowest at 2.7%.
Thirteen of the state’s 15 metro areas experienced rate increases. Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.1%, while Asheville had the lowest at 3.1%. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7%.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 59 counties, increased in 20 and remained unchanged in 21. Five metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year, two increased, and eight remained unchanged.
The number of workers employed statewide — not seasonally adjusted — increased in February by 1,476 to 5,049,879, while those unemployed increased by 4,616 to 194,278. Since February 2023, the number of workers employed statewide increased 52,300, while those unemployed increased 597.
N.C. Commerce will release the statewide unemployment rate for March 2024 on April 19.