The Labor & Economic Analysis Division (LEAD) of the North Carolina Department of Commerce has released its September 2025 NC Economy Watch, focusing on the economic recovery in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The report indicates that while there have been signs of progress since the recovery began in November 2024, the region’s economic rebound remains incomplete by several measures.
According to preliminary estimates from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, the Asheville metro area—covering Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison counties—experienced a 2% year-over-year job loss after Helene struck in October 2024. However, more comprehensive data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) later revealed that job losses were nearly four times larger than initially estimated. As of March 2025, employment in the Asheville metro area remained down by 4% compared to a year earlier.
For a broader seven-county region affected by sustained joblessness—including Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Madison, Mitchell, Rutherford, and Yancey Counties—the QCEW showed a 7% employment decline over the year in October 2024. By March 2025, this region still faced an employment shortfall of 3%.
The report notes that persistent job losses may be attributed to factors such as population decline or barriers to reemployment for individuals affected by the storm. The unemployment rate remains higher than it was a year ago in many impacted counties.
Other economic indicators show mixed results. Monthly taxable sales and purchases dropped about one-fifth after Hurricane Helene but returned to previous levels by December 2024 and continued rising into mid-2025. Electricity demand followed similar trends.
Tourism continues to lag behind other sectors. Passenger traffic at Asheville Regional Airport was down 6% from June 2024 levels this summer, while lodging revenue in Buncombe County fell by 21% compared to last year.
“Addressing individuals’ barriers to reemployment and nurturing a recovery in the tourism industry will be key challenges in the months ahead,” states Meihui Bodane, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Research and Strategy at NC Department of Commerce’s LEAD division. “But although the economic recovery remains incomplete, the progress we’ve seen so far demonstrates the resilience of the Western North Carolina economy and shows that its best days are still to come.”
Comprehensive data on population changes and gross domestic product for these counties will not be available until next year or later.
For further information or inquiries regarding this update on Western North Carolina’s post-Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, contact Meihui Bodane at mbodane@commerce.nc.gov.
