Unemployment rates in North Carolina showed an upward trend in May 2025, with increases recorded in 93 counties. Four counties saw a decrease, and three remained unchanged. Edgecombe County reported the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent, while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.9 percent.
Among the state’s metropolitan areas, Rocky Mount had the highest unemployment rate at 4.9 percent, whereas Raleigh registered the lowest at 3.1 percent. The statewide unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, stood at 3.6 percent.
In terms of monthly figures, May saw a slight shift compared to April’s revised data. In May, there were two counties with rates between five and ten percent, while none exceeded ten percent.
Comparing year-over-year data for May revealed that unemployment rates increased in 80 counties but decreased in nine and stayed constant in eleven others. Thirteen metro areas experienced an increase over the past year; two remained unchanged.
The workforce statistics indicated a decline in employment across the state by 24,009 individuals to reach a total of 5,084,132 employed workers. Concurrently, the number of unemployed rose by 12,032 to a total of 192,431 individuals without work.
The report highlights that employment estimates are influenced by significant seasonal patterns; thus it is recommended to focus on annual changes rather than monthly fluctuations for a clearer picture.
The next update regarding statewide unemployment will be released on Friday, July 18, when figures for June 2025 will be made available.
Supplemental data related to this release can now be accessed through an online dashboard. Additional charts and tables are included in a PDF attached to this release for further details.
