North Carolina’s employment landscape shifted in May 2025, as the latest figures reveal nuanced changes across the state’s counties and metropolitan areas. A closer look at the data shows a mix of stability and fluctuation, highlighting the diverse economic conditions within the state.
County and Metro Area Unemployment Rates
In May 2025, unemployment rates, not adjusted for seasonal variations, saw an increase in 93 of North Carolina’s counties. Meanwhile, four counties experienced a decrease, and three remained the same. Edgecombe County reported the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent, contrasting with Currituck County, which had the lowest rate at 2.9 percent.
Among the state’s metropolitan regions, 14 areas recorded a rise in unemployment rates, while one area noted a decrease. Rocky Mount stood out with the highest rate at 4.9 percent, whereas Raleigh boasted the lowest at 3.1 percent. Across the state, the overall not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 98 | 2 | 0 |
| April (revised) | 100 | 0 | 0 |
Yearly Comparisons and Employment Shifts
Taking a broader view, the year-over-year data shows that 80 counties saw an increase in their unemployment rates compared to the same period last year. In contrast, nine counties experienced a decrease, while 11 remained stable. Thirteen metropolitan areas recorded annual increases, with two remaining unchanged.
Statewide, the number of employed individuals decreased by 24,009 in May to a total of 5,084,132. Conversely, the number of unemployed rose by 12,032, reaching a total of 192,431. Comparing these figures to May 2024, there is a notable decrease of 36,949 in employed workers, while the number of unemployed increased by 10,459.
It is crucial to consider that employment estimates are often influenced by significant seasonal trends, making it advisable to focus on changes over the year for more accurate interpretations.
The upcoming update on unemployment figures is expected on Friday, July 18, 2025, when the statewide unemployment rate for June 2025 will be announced.
Note to Editors: Supplemental data for this release is now available via a live online dashboard. The PDF attached to this release does contain additional charts and tables for today’s data. Contact Commerce Communications for further information.
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