Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in two. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.0 percent while Orange and Buncombe Counties each had the lowest at 3.3 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.5 percent while Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest at 3.4 percent. The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent.

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in June by 13,268 to 4,935,844, while those unemployed increased by 22,766 to 209,855. Since June 2021, the number of workers employed statewide increased 220,290, while those unemployed decreased 63,454.

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, August 19, 2022 when the state unemployment rate for July 2022 will be released.

Note to Editors: Supplemental data for this release is now available via a live online dashboard. The PDF version of this supplemental data has been discontinued, although the PDF attached to this release does contain additional charts and tables for today's data. Contact Commerce Communications for further information on these changes.