When compared to June 2011, the unemployment rate in June 2012 declined in 91 NC counties, increased in six, and remained the same in three, according to statistics released by the N.C. Division of Employment Security. Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in June at 5.3 percent, and Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 17.6 percent.
“Over-the-year numbers are showing a positive trend compared to the June 2011 numbers,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll. “Since June of last year, rates are down in nearly all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. “Job announcements continue to be made across our state and we remain focused on getting people back to work,” Carroll said. “Working with employers statewide and providing assistance in our employment service offices is critical to finding opportunities for our customers,” he added.
Since June 2011, the number of state workers unemployed decreased 45,492, while those employed increased 69,075. Employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted series.
The uemployment rate for the Asheville-Brevard metro area fell from 8.7 in June 2011 to 8.0 percent in June 2012. For the same period, the Charlotte-Gastonia-Salisbury area unemployment rate fell from 11.6 to 10.2 percent. According to released figures from the NC Department of Commerce, the Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point metro area unemployment rates fell from 11.2 to 10.0 percent. Lumberton-Laurinburg unemployment fell from 15.1 percent to 14.5 percent. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary metro area’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.9 to 8.2 percent. The national unemployment rate in June 2012 was 8.2 percent. Read More.