Unemployment rates in North Carolina showed improvement in July 2025, with decreases reported in 75 counties, increases in 11, and no change in 14. Edgecombe County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 5.8 percent, while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Among metropolitan areas, Rocky Mount posted the highest rate at 5.3 percent and Raleigh the lowest at 3.2 percent. The statewide not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.8 percent.
In July, there were 91 counties with unemployment rates of five percent or below, nine counties between five and ten percent, and none above ten percent. This compares to June’s revised figures of 90 counties at five percent or below and ten between five and ten percent.
Compared to July of last year, unemployment rates fell in 89 counties, rose in seven, and remained unchanged in four. Fourteen metro areas saw year-over-year decreases; one experienced an increase.
The number of employed workers across North Carolina increased by nearly thirty thousand from June to July, reaching a total of 5,124,369 people employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted). The number of unemployed decreased by over seventy-five hundred to a total of 202,827 people without jobs during this period. Since July last year, employment has risen by more than ten thousand workers while the number unemployed has dropped by over fourteen thousand.
Officials note that employment estimates are influenced by seasonal trends and recommend focusing on annual changes for a clearer picture.
The next update on North Carolina’s unemployment figures is scheduled for Friday, September 19, when data for August will be released.
Supplemental data is available through a live online dashboard provided by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
