Unemployment Trends Across North Carolina: A Comprehensive Overview
In September 2025, a notable trend emerged across North Carolina as unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) showed a decline in 98 of the state’s counties. Only one county saw an increase, and another remained unchanged. Notably, Halifax County registered the highest unemployment rate at 5.6 percent, contrasting with Currituck County, which recorded the lowest at 2.7 percent.
Interestingly, all fifteen metropolitan areas in the state reported decreases in their unemployment rates. Among these, Rocky Mount experienced the highest rate at 5.1 percent, whereas Raleigh boasted the lowest at 3.2 percent. On a statewide level, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7 percent.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 96 | 4 | 0 |
| August (revised) | 87 | 13 | 0 |
A year-over-year comparison reveals that the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased across all 100 counties, with every metropolitan area also experiencing a rise.
Statewide, the number of employed individuals (not seasonally adjusted) rose by 63,516 in September, reaching a total of 5,117,735. Concurrently, the count of unemployed individuals dropped by 16,570 to 196,136. However, since September 2024, there has been a decrease of 5,129 in the number of employed workers, while the unemployed population has increased by 24,550.
It’s crucial to consider that employment estimates are influenced by significant seasonal patterns, making it advisable to concentrate on year-over-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted figures.
The next update on unemployment figures, specifically the statewide unemployment rate for November 2025, is slated for release on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Additional Information
Supplemental data for this report can be accessed through a live online dashboard. Additionally, further charts and tables are available in the PDF attached to this release. For more information, contact Commerce Communications.
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