Wilmington Unemployment figures down again in August

RALEIGH, NC (NEWS RELEASE) — Unemployment rates dropped in 82 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in August, according to statistics released today by the state’s Employment Security Commission. The rates increased in 10 counties and remained the same in 8.

“Unemployment rates continued to drop in most of the state’s 100 counties in August,” said ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes. “However, while the rates have lowered, current economic conditions continue to be a challenge for many communities across North Carolina as the unemployment rate remains at 10 percent or over in half of the state’s counties. Our staff across the state continues to provide assistance to those seeking unemployment benefits and those seeking employment opportunities.”

North Carolina had 47 counties that were at or below the state’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 9.8 percent. Rates decreased in all 14 of the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

The number of workers employed (not-seasonally adjusted) decreased in August by 23,241, to 4,068,606. The number of people unemployed decreased, by 13,368. The number of unemployed people in August was 441,326 workers, compared with 454,694 in July.

Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in August, at 4.1 percent. Meanwhile, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 15.7 percent.

The five counties receiving the highest amount in regular unemployment insurance benefits in August were: Mecklenburg, $17.2 million; Wake, $13.9 million; Guilford, $7.7 million; Forsyth, $5.1 million; and Durham, $3.6 million. In August, $147.2 million in regular UI benefits was paid to 133,061 individuals statewide, compared to $138.8 million to 145,255 individuals in July.

Unemployment rates in the metropolitan statistical areas for August were:
Asheville — 8 percent, down from 8.1 percent in July.
Burlington — 10.6 percent, down from 10.9 percent.
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC — 11 percent, down from 11.3 percent.
Durham-Chapel Hill — 7.3 percent, down from 7.4 percent.
Fayetteville — 9 percent, down from 9.1 percent.
Goldsboro — 8.3 percent, down from 8.5 percent.
Greensboro-High Point — 10.4 percent, down from 10.7 percent.
Greenville — 9.8 percent, down from 10 percent.
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton — 12.6 percent, down from 12.8 percent.
Jacksonville — 7.9 percent, down from 8 percent
Raleigh-Cary — 8.2 percent, down from 8.3 percent.
Rocky Mount — 12.7 percent, down from 13.1 percent..
Wilmington — 9.3 percent, down from 9.6 percent.
Winston-Salem — 9.3 percent, down from 9.5 percent.