RALEIGH – Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in September, decreased in three, and remained unchanged in two.
Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 12.0 percent, while Watauga County had the lowest at 4.6 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, one decreased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 9.4 percent and Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 6.0 percent. The September not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 7.0 percent.
In Johnston County, the unemployment rate increased from 6.0 percent in August to 6.1 percent in September 2020. A year ago, in September 2019, the unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, representing a 2.9 percent increase. Out of a labor force of 95,561 in Johnston County, 5861 people were unemployed last month, according to the NC Department of Commerce.
Harnett’s unemployment rate increased from 6.8 to 7.0 percent in September. Wilson County increased 8.3 to 8.5% and Sampson County from 5.3 to 5.4 percent. Wake County saw their jobless rate increase from 6.0 to 6.1 percent.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in September by 86,137 to 4,575,430, while those unemployed increased by 17,367 to 343,190. Since September 2019, the number of workers employed statewide decreased 344,447, while those unemployed increased 168,572.
