Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 81 of North Carolina’s counties in March, increased in three, and remained unchanged in 16. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. 13 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and two remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.3 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.3 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent.
| Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% | |
| March | 75 | 24 | 1 |
| February (revised) | 68 | 31 | 1 |
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 61 counties, decreased in 26, and remained unchanged in 13. Nine metro areas experienced rate increases over the year, three declined, and three remained unchanged.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in March by 34,495 to 4,858,751, while those unemployed decreased 4,855 to 206,445. Since March 2018, the number of workers employed statewide increased 72,828, while those unemployed increased 5,360.
It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2019 when the state unemployment rate for April 2019 will be released.