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October Unemployment Rate Unchanged from September in Watauga County; Down 0.4 Percent in Avery County

By Paul T. Choate

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Nov. 27, 2012. Today, Nov. 27, the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Employment Security released the county, metropolitan area and micropolitan area unemployment rates for the month of October 2012. 

Watauga County’s unemployment rate was the same as in September and Avery County a had lower unemployment rate compared to September. Both counties were down from October 2011.

Watauga County had a 1.1 percent decrease in the over-the-year rate. The October unemployment rate for Watauga was 7.3 percent.

As for Avery County, their over-the-month change from September to October was a decrease of 0.4 percent, with their over-the-year change a decrease of 0.8 percent. The October unemployment rate for Avery was 9.5 percent. 

Boone’s micropolitan statistical area October unemployment rate was the same as Watauga County’s, at 7.3 percent. This represents a decrease of 1.1 percent from from October 2011. 

Unemployment rates decreased in 76 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in October, increased in 16, and were unchanged in eight. When compared to the same month last year, unemployment rates declined in 98 counties.

The October unemployment rate for the state was 8.8 percent.

Carrituck County in Northeastern North Carolina reported the lowest September rate, at 5.5 percent. Scotland County, near Fayetteville, reported the highest September rate at 15.7 percent. 

The state unemployment rate for November will be released on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012.

For more information, visit ncesc.com