April unemployment rates fell in 57 North Carolina counties
RALEIGH — Unemployment rates decreased in 57 North Carolina counties in April, increased in eight and remained unchanged in 35, according to data released by the N.C. Department of Commerce.
The county and area figures, released June 3, are not seasonally adjusted. Commerce reported the statewide not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4% in April.
Hyde County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 5.7%, while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7%, according to the department. Among metropolitan areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.6%, while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0%.
Commerce said eight of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one experienced an increase and six remained unchanged.
The county-level report follows Commerce’s earlier release of seasonally adjusted statewide April employment figures. In that report, the department said North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 3.7%, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3%.
State labor market figures are commonly reported in two ways. Seasonally adjusted numbers are used to compare broad month-to-month trends by accounting for recurring seasonal changes. County and area unemployment figures are not seasonally adjusted and can reflect local hiring patterns, school calendars, tourism cycles, agriculture and other regional factors.
The April county report offers a more localized view of economic conditions across the state as lawmakers and state officials continue to debate workforce development, business recruitment and rural economic policy.
Commerce’s labor market data is released monthly and is used by state agencies, local governments, economic development officials and employers to track regional employment trends.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
