Unemployment Rates Drop Across North Carolina in March 2026
In a promising economic update from Raleigh, North Carolina, unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) fell in all 100 counties during March 2026. Notably, Hyde County recorded the highest unemployment at 8.5 percent, whereas both Stanly and Currituck Counties reported the lowest rates at 2.8 percent. All fifteen metropolitan areas in the state also saw reductions in unemployment rates, with Rocky Mount at the high end with a 4.7 percent rate, and Raleigh leading with the lowest rate of 3.0 percent. The overall statewide rate, not adjusted for seasonal variations, was 3.5 percent.
Statewide Employment Statistics
The number of North Carolinians employed (not seasonally adjusted) rose by 31,114, reaching a total of 5,108,174 employed individuals in March. Simultaneously, the number of unemployed individuals decreased significantly by 17,410, totaling 185,549. When compared with figures from March 2025, the employed workforce has grown by 10,610, while the number of unemployed individuals has dropped by 16,597.
Changes in County and Metro Area Rates
In a year-over-year comparison, 93 counties saw a reduction in unemployment rates, five witnessed an increase, and two remained unchanged. Moreover, all 15 metropolitan areas experienced decreases in their unemployment rates over the past year.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 95 | 5 | 0 |
| February (revised) | 90 | 9 | 1 |
These figures underscore the importance of focusing on over-the-year changes, as employment estimates are subject to notable seasonal patterns. The subsequent update on unemployment statistics is slated for release on Friday, May 22, 2026, which will provide the statewide unemployment rate for April 2026.
Note to Editors: Supplemental data for this release is now available via a live online dashboard. The PDF attached to this release contains additional charts and tables relevant to today’s data. For further information, please contact Commerce Communications.
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