December 2025: Unemployment Decreases in 99 NC Counties, Rises in One

In December 2025, NC saw unemployment drop in 99 counties, with Edgecombe at 5.4% and Stanly at 2.6%. Statewide, rates show year-over-year variances.

February 4, 2026

Unemployment Trends in North Carolina: December 2025 Analysis

In December 2025, North Carolina witnessed a broad decline in unemployment rates across 99 of its 100 counties, offering a promising sign of economic health. However, Edgecombe County stood out with the highest unemployment rate at 5.4 percent, contrasting with Stanly County’s low of 2.6 percent. All metro areas in the state saw reductions in their unemployment rates, with Rocky Mount at the upper end with 4.8 percent, while Raleigh reported the lowest rate of 3.0 percent. Across the state, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate settled at 3.4 percent.

Month	Counties with Rates 5% or Below	Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10%	Counties with Rates Above 10%
December	97	3	0
November (Revised)	84	16	0

When comparing data from the previous year, there was an increase in unemployment rates in 65 counties, while 24 counties experienced a decrease, and 11 counties remained unchanged. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas saw an uptick in unemployment rates compared to the previous year, with only two experiencing declines.

The workforce across North Carolina (not seasonally adjusted) saw a notable increase in employment numbers, with the total number of employed individuals rising by 36,570 to reach 5,108,591. Meanwhile, the unemployed population decreased by 39,163, dropping to 181,301. Looking over the year, since December 2024, there has been an increase of 41,381 in the number of employed individuals, alongside a rise of 3,101 in the unemployed count.

It’s crucial to recognize that employment figures are influenced by significant seasonal fluctuations, which suggests a focus on year-over-year changes for a clearer picture of employment trends that are not seasonally adjusted.