Unemployment rates in North Carolina rose in most counties during August 2025, according to data released by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The report showed that unemployment rates increased in 95 counties, decreased in two, and remained unchanged in three. Edgecombe and Halifax Counties recorded the highest unemployment rate at 6.1 percent, while Currituck County had the lowest at 3.0 percent.
All fifteen of the state’s metro areas saw increases in unemployment rates for August. Rocky Mount reported the highest metro area rate at 5.5 percent, while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.5 percent. Statewide, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent.
In terms of county distribution, 87 counties posted rates at or below 5 percent, while 13 counties were between five and ten percent; no county exceeded a ten percent rate this month. This compares with July’s revised numbers showing 91 counties at or below five percent and nine between five and ten percent.
Looking year over year, unemployment rates not seasonally adjusted increased in 61 counties compared to August of last year, decreased in thirteen, and remained unchanged in twenty-six. Over that same period, twelve metro areas experienced an increase in rates while three stayed the same.
The number of people employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) fell by 70,403 from July to reach a total of 5,054,280 workers in August. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed individuals increased by 10,272 to a total of 213,037 for the month. Compared to August last year, there were about 10,117 fewer people employed statewide and about 5,796 more unemployed.
“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,” stated the release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
The department plans to provide its next update on Tuesday, October 21, when September’s statewide unemployment rate will be announced.
Supplemental data is available through a live online dashboard and additional charts and tables can be found within a PDF attached to today’s release. For further information or access to these resources, contact Commerce Communications.
