Wilmington unemployment holding at 9.6%

RALEIGH — Unemployment rates decreased in 35 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in June, while 45 experienced higher rates, according to statistics released today by the state’s Employment Security Commission. The remaining 20 counties had the same rate as in May.

“The June county data show that for many of the counties in the state, the unemployment rate has showed some level of improvement,” said ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes. “Unfortunately, there are still many counties where the rate of unemployment remains high. As always, our agency will respond to our customers who seek assistance in employment services and unemployment benefits. We also continue to serve North Carolina businesses that use our resources to recruit workers.”

In June, North Carolina had 47 counties that were at or below the state’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 10.1 percent. Rates increased in nine of the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas, decreased in one and remained the same in four.

The number of workers employed across North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) decreased in June by 10,479 workers, to 4,088,107. The number of people unemployed increased, by 1,822. The number of unemployed people in June was 457,341, compared with 455,519 idled workers in May.

Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in June, at 4.8 percent. Meanwhile, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 16.3 percent.

The five counties receiving the highest amount in regular unemployment insurance benefits in June were: Mecklenburg, $18.4 million; Wake, $14.8 million; Guilford, $9.0 million; Forsyth, $5.6 million; and Gaston, $3.9 million. In June, $164.6 million in regular UI benefits was paid to 158,493 individuals, compared to $194.5 million to 176,980 individuals in May.

Unemployment rates in the metropolitan statistical areas for June were:
Asheville — 8.4 percent, up from 8.3 percent in May.
Burlington — 11.1 percent, up from 11.0 percent.
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC — 11.1 percent, no change.
Durham-Chapel Hill — 7.5 percent, up from 7.3 percent.
Fayetteville — 8.9 percent, up from 8.7 percent.
Goldsboro — 8.7 percent, up from 8.6 percent.
Greensboro-High Point — 10.8 percent, no change.
Greenville — 10 percent, up from 9.8 percent.
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton — 13 percent, down from 13.1 percent.
Jacksonville — 8.0 percent, up from 7.6 percent.
Raleigh-Cary — 8.4 percent, up from 8.3 percent.
Rocky Mount — 13.0 percent, no change.
Wilmington — 9.6 percent, no change.
Winston-Salem — 9.6 percent, up from 9.5 percent.

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