Unemployment Rates Shift Across North Carolina Counties
A significant shift in unemployment rates was observed across North Carolina’s counties in December 2024, with the majority experiencing a decrease. Ninety-five counties saw their unemployment rates drop, while four counties noted an increase, and one county remained unchanged. This trend was mirrored in the state’s metropolitan areas, all of which reported rate declines.
Mitchell County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent, contrasting sharply with Currituck County, which boasted the lowest at 2.7 percent. Among the metropolitan regions, Asheville had the highest unemployment rate at 5.1 percent, while Wilmington reported the lowest at 2.8 percent. Overall, the not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate settled at 3.4 percent.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 93 | 7 | 0 |
| November (revised) | 88 | 12 | 0 |
When comparing the rates to December of the previous year, 52 counties experienced an increase in unemployment rates, 29 saw a decrease, and 19 remained unchanged. In terms of metropolitan areas, eight saw annual increases, three noted a decrease, and four experienced no change.
The workforce in North Carolina also fluctuated, with the number of employed individuals declining by 5,333 to a total of 5,041,982 in December. Meanwhile, the count of unemployed individuals fell by 15,384, reaching 178,498. Over the year, the workforce saw an increase of 7,430 employed people, while the number of unemployed rose by 9,851.
It’s important to recognize that these employment figures can be heavily influenced by seasonal trends, so annual comparisons of the not seasonally adjusted data are recommended for a clearer understanding.
The next update on unemployment figures is anticipated on Monday, March 17, 2025, when the statewide unemployment rate for January 2025 will be published.
Supplemental Information
Editors can access additional information through a live online dashboard. The PDF edition of this supplemental data has been discontinued, but today’s release includes further charts and tables. For more details regarding these updates, please contact Commerce Communications.
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