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Watauga’s November Jobless Rate Decreases To 5.7 Percent, Avery, Ashe Counties Hover Above 8 Percent

Unemployment Rates

Jan. 13, 2014. Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 91 of North Carolina’s counties in November and increased in nine. All 14 of the State’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.

As for the counties in and around the High Country, Avery County’s jobless rate increased 0.4 percent to 8.2 percent, which represents a 2.7 percent decrease over the year.

Ashe County’s jobless rate declined 0.6 percent to 8.1 percent, which represents a 2.5 percent decrease over the year. Watauga County also declined by 0.6 percent. Watauga County has the lowest unemployment rate of the three counties with a 5.7 percent jobless rate for the month of November. That figure represents a 2.3 percent decline over the year.

Watauga County’s 5.7 percent unemployment rate is among the top 10 lowest rates in the state of North Carolina.

Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.5 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 4.3 percent. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 10.0 percent experienced the highest rate and Durham-Chapel Hill at 5.1 percent had the lowest. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 6.9 percent.

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties. All 14 metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in November by 18,410 to 4,347,769, while those unemployed decreased 29,308 to 322,319. Since November 2012, the number of workers employed statewide increased 22,025, while those unemployed decreased 110,279.

It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2014 when the state unemployment rate for December 2013 will be released. 

Click here to read entire November report

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