Johnston County Posts 3.1% Unemployment Rate In September

RALEIGH – Johnston County closed September 2025 with an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent, continuing to outperform both North Carolina and the nation as a whole. According to statistics released this week by the NC Department of Commerce, the county’s jobless rate came in well below the statewide rate of 3.7 percent and the national rate of 4.4 percent, signaling ongoing labor market strength despite signs of slowing momentum elsewhere in the economy.

A total of 128,455 Johnston County residents were in the labor force during the month. Of those, 124,427 were employed, while 4,028 residents were actively seeking work. The county’s low unemployment rate places it among the stronger-performing labor markets in North Carolina and reflects steady demand for workers, particularly within the broader Triangle region.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.7 percent in September, unchanged from August. Employers across the state added 10,200 nonfarm jobs over the month, bringing total nonfarm employment to 5,106,700. While job growth continued, several indicators pointed to a cooling labor market. Real wages declined by 0.2 percent over the month, job openings edged down by 0.1 percent, and building permits fell by 0.5 percent. At the same time, manufacturing production hours increased by 2.0 percent over the year, and initial unemployment insurance claims dropped sharply compared to last year, suggesting that layoffs remain limited.

Johnston County’s performance also compares favorably within its regional setting. The Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area reported an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in September, slightly higher than Johnston County’s 3.1 percent. With the metro labor force exceeding 850,000 workers, Johnston County continues to benefit from its proximity to one of the state’s largest and most diverse employment hubs, supporting both resident employment and labor force stability.

Nationally, labor market conditions were somewhat weaker. The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in September, up from 4.3 percent the previous month. This widening gap between local and national figures highlights Johnston County’s relative resilience as national labor demand softens.

Overall, the September 2025 data show Johnston County maintaining a strong and stable labor market.