Unemployment Rates Drop Across North Carolina Counties in March
In a significant economic development, all 100 counties in North Carolina reported a decrease in unemployment rates for March 2026, revealing a positive trend across the state. Hyde County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent, whereas both Stanly and Currituck Counties boasted the lowest rate of 2.8 percent. Each of the state’s fifteen metropolitan areas also saw a decline in unemployment rates, with Rocky Mount registering the highest at 4.7 percent and Raleigh recording the lowest at 3.0 percent. The overall not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the state stood at 3.5 percent.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 95 | 5 | 0 |
| February (revised) | 90 | 9 | 1 |
Comparing these figures to the same month last year reveals that 93 counties experienced a decrease in unemployment rates, while five saw an increase, and two remained unchanged. Similarly, a reduction in the unemployment rate was observed across all 15 metro areas over the year.
The number of employed individuals in the state rose by 31,114 in March, reaching a total of 5,108,174. Concurrently, the number of unemployed individuals decreased by 17,410, bringing the total to 185,549. Since March 2025, there has been an increase of 10,610 in the employed workforce, while the number unemployed has seen a reduction of 16,597.
Due to substantial seasonal employment patterns, it is advisable to consider year-over-year changes when evaluating the not seasonally adjusted employment estimates.
The upcoming unemployment statistics for April 2026 are set to be published on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Note to Editors: Supplemental data for this release is now available via a live online dashboard. The PDF attached to this release contains additional charts and tables for today’s data. Contact Commerce Communications for further information.
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