Johnston County Jobless Rate Holds At 3.0%
SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Johnston County continues to have one of North Carolina’s strongest job markets, posting one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates in May and outperforming each of its neighboring counties except Wake.
According to figures released Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Johnston County’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.0 percent in May, unchanged from April and down slightly from 3.1 percent one year ago.
Johnston County’s civilian labor force totaled 129,857, with 3,933 residents unemployed during the month.
Among Johnston County’s surrounding counties, only Wake County matched Johnston’s 3.0 percent unemployment rate. Every other neighboring county reported higher unemployment:
| County | May Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| Johnston | 3.0% |
| Wake | 3.0% |
| Sampson | 3.6% |
| Wayne | 3.7% |
| Harnett | 3.8% |
| Nash | 4.4% |
| Wilson | 4.7% |
Wilson County posted the highest unemployment rate among Johnston County’s neighbors at 4.7 percent, followed by Nash County at 4.4 percent. Wayne County reported 3.7 percent, Harnett County 3.8 percent, and Sampson County 3.6 percent.
Statewide, North Carolina’s unemployment rate was 3.5 percent. Hyde and Edgecombe counties recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 5.2 percent, while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent.
Across North Carolina, unemployment rates increased in 70 counties during May, decreased in five counties and remained unchanged in 25 counties.
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