Rising Unemployment Rates in North Carolina Counties
Unemployment rates across North Carolina witnessed notable changes in May 2025, with 93 counties experiencing an increase in their rates. Meanwhile, four counties recorded a decrease, and three remained steady. Edgecombe County topped the list with the highest unemployment rate at 5.3%, while Currituck County enjoyed the lowest at 2.9%.
Among metropolitan areas, 14 reported an uptick in unemployment rates, contrasting with just one area that saw a decline. Rocky Mount faced the highest rate in the metro section at 4.9%, whereas Raleigh registered the lowest at 3.1%. Overall, the statewide unemployment rate, not adjusted for seasonal variations, stood at 3.6%.
| Month | Counties with Rates 5% or Below | Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10% | Counties with Rates Above 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 98 | 2 | 0 |
| April (revised) | 100 | 0 | 0 |
Comparing this data to May of the previous year, unemployment rates increased in 80 counties, decreased in nine, and remained unchanged in 11. Over the year, 13 metro areas experienced an increase, while two stayed constant.
In terms of workforce numbers, the statewide employment count dropped by 24,009, bringing the total to 5,084,132. Concurrently, the number of unemployed individuals rose by 12,032, totaling 192,431. Since May 2024, the number of employed workers has decreased by 36,949, and the unemployed count has risen by 10,459.
Given the significant seasonal variations in employment estimates, it is preferable to concentrate on year-over-year changes when examining the non-seasonally adjusted figures.
The forthcoming unemployment report is slated for release on Friday, July 18, 2025, providing insights into the statewide unemployment rate for June 2025.
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 for today’s data. Contact Commerce Communications for further information.
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