Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 counties in April, according to the N.C. Commerce Department. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.8%. Greene, Buncombe and Ashe counties had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.6%.
All 15 of the state’s metro areas also had rate decreases. Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.5%. Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.7%. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.3%.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 94 counties, decreased in five and was unchanged in one. All 15 metro area experienced rate increases over the year.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in April by 11,615 to 5,082,611, while those unemployed decreased by 21,921 to 173,684. Since April 2023, the number of workers employed statewide increased 27,576, while those unemployed increased to 20,487.
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, according to N.C. Commerce Department.
