Raleigh, N.C.
In an overview of unemployment trends across North Carolina, 89 counties reported a rise in unemployment rates in November 2025 compared to the previous year, while rates fell in eight counties and remained steady in three. Metropolitan areas displayed varied changes, with 14 seeing increased unemployment rates and just one area experiencing a decline. The absence of October 2025 data is attributed to funding issues.
Edgecombe County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 6.3 percent, contrasting sharply with Currituck County’s low of 3.3 percent. Within metro regions, Rocky Mount faced the highest unemployment at 5.7 percent, whereas Raleigh fared better with the lowest rate of 3.6 percent. Across the state, the non-adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 85 | 15 | 0 |
*October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations*
From the previous year, there was a slight decline in the number of employed individuals statewide, decreasing by 531 to a total of 5,072,337. Concurrently, the number of unemployed individuals rose by 22,644, reaching 218,867.
The upcoming unemployment report, providing insights into December 2025, is expected on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
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Note to Editors: Supplemental data for this release is available via a live online dashboard.
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