Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 North Carolina counties in December, increased in three and remained unchanged in two, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9%. Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.4%.
All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.5%. Asheville had the lowest at 2.5%. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2%. The U.S. unemployment rate for December was 3.7%.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 51 counties, increased in 26, and remained unchanged in 23. Seven metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year, three increased and five remained unchanged. Ninety-six counties had unemployment rates below 5%.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in December by 28,036 to 5,058,871, while those unemployed decreased by 10,084 to 167,065. Since December 2022, the number of workers employed statewide has increased 95,776, while those unemployed increased 3,277.
Employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns. The N.C. Commerce Department recommends focusing on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.
N.C. Commerce plans to release the statewide unemployment rate for January on March 11.