Commerce: April unemployment fell in 57 counties

RALEIGH — Unemployment rates decreased in 57 North Carolina counties in April, increased in eight and remained unchanged in 35, according to figures released by the N.C. Department of Commerce.

The county and area figures, which are not seasonally adjusted, showed a statewide unemployment rate of 3.4% for April. Commerce said Hyde County had the highest county unemployment rate at 5.7%, while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7%.

The new local figures provide a more detailed county-level look at North Carolina’s labor market after Commerce previously reported the state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate at 3.7%.

According to Commerce, 98 counties had unemployment rates of 5% or lower in April. Two counties had rates between 5% and 10%, and no counties had rates above 10%. In March, 95 counties had unemployment rates of 5% or lower, while five counties had rates between 5% and 10%.

Eight of North Carolina’s metro areas saw unemployment rates decrease in April. One metro area had an increase, and six remained unchanged. Rocky Mount had the highest metro unemployment rate at 4.6%, while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0%.

Compared with April 2025, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 38 counties, increased in 44 and remained unchanged in 18. Three metro areas had lower unemployment rates than a year earlier, eight had higher rates and four were unchanged.

Commerce said the number of employed workers statewide, not seasonally adjusted, decreased by 26,598 in April to 5,081,937. The number of unemployed workers decreased by 4,827 to 180,636.

The department cautioned that employment estimates are affected by large seasonal patterns and said over-the-year changes are often more useful when evaluating not seasonally adjusted data.

The next statewide unemployment update is scheduled for June 23, when Commerce is expected to release the statewide unemployment rate for May.

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.