In a significant shift, unemployment rates across North Carolina’s 100 counties rose in July 2026, impacting both rural and urban areas. A closer look at the data reveals disparities in employment trends, with certain counties and metro areas facing more challenges than others.
Statewide and County-Specific Unemployment Rates
The unemployment landscape in North Carolina saw an uptick in July, with Edgecombe and Halifax Counties recording the highest unemployment rate at 5.5 percent. On the other end of the spectrum, Currituck County reported the lowest rate at 2.8 percent. All of North Carolina’s 15 metro areas witnessed an increase in unemployment rates, with Rocky Mount leading at 4.9 percent and Raleigh maintaining the lowest at 3.2 percent. The overall statewide unemployment rate, not adjusted for seasonal variations, stood at 3.7 percent.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 94 | 6 | 0 |
| June (revised) | 98 | 2 | 0 |
Year-Over-Year Employment Changes
When comparing the not seasonally adjusted figures to the previous year, 90 counties experienced a decrease in unemployment rates, while four saw increases, and six remained unchanged. Additionally, 14 metro areas recorded decreases over the same period, with one remaining stable.
Statewide, the number of employed individuals decreased by 44,910 in July, bringing the total to 5,007,249. Concurrently, the number of unemployed rose by 9,044 to 193,903. Since July 2025, there has been a decrease of 110,239 in the employed workforce, alongside a reduction of 24,413 in the unemployed category.
Given the influence of seasonal patterns on employment statistics, analysts recommend focusing on the year-over-year data for a more accurate picture of employment trends.
Stay tuned for the next update on unemployment statistics, which is scheduled for release on Friday, September 18, 2026, when the statewide figures for August 2026 will be announced.
Additional Resources
For more detailed insights and data visualizations, access the live online dashboard. Further charts and tables are included in the PDF attached to this release. Contact Commerce Communications for additional details.
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