During the past month, North Carolina’s employment and unemployment numbers decreased slightly as the employment rate dropped to 4.8 percent, according to the latest statistics from the state’s Employment Security Commission. Data from the full year shows growth in the state’s labor force and employment.
“We experienced a minor decrease in both employment and unemployment in October,” said ESC Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. in a release. “When we look at those same numbers during the past year, we see that employment is up by more than 33,000 workers and unemployment has actually decreased by nearly 2,700. We continue to be encouraged by job growth.”
Overall, employment decreased by 9,475 workers in October to 4,315,160, and the labor force decreased by 12,887 people during the month to 4,534,074. Seasonally adjusted unemployment decreased by 3,412 workers, to 218,914. Since this time last year, unemployment has decreased by 2,673 workers. The labor force, over the year, has increased by 30,506 people.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate of 4.8 percent remained slightly above the U.S. rate of 4.7 percent. The state rate in October 2006 was 4.9 percent.
Seasonally adjusted, total nonfarm-industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased by 8,600 jobs over the past month, and has increased by 68,200 since October 2006 — to 4,114,900.
The largest over-the-month increase occurred in Professional and Business Services (+2,600). The largest decrease was in Information (-300).
Note: The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 28, when the county unemployment rates for October will be released.
— Hal L. Millard, staff writer
