Watauga jobless rate falls to 7.3 percent
by Anna Oakes
Watauga County's unemployment rate fell one percentage point to 7.3 percent in September, mirroring the pattern in 97 of the state's 100 counties.
Watauga's rate fell from 8.3 percent in August. A year earlier, in September 2011, the county's jobless rate was 8.5 percent.
North Carolina had 36 counties that were at or below the state's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.9 percent, according to information released by the N.C. Department of Commerce on Friday. Unemployment rates decreased in all 14 of the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas, the department said.
The number of workers employed (not seasonally adjusted) increased in September by 72,188 to 4,291,292, while those unemployed fell 31,303 to 421,149. Since September 2011, the number of workers unemployed decreased 62,424, while those employed increased 103,546.
The Department of Commerce previously announced North Carolina's state average unemployment rate for September, which was 8.9 percent — down from 9.7 percent in August.
Scotland County recorded September's highest unemployment rate at 16.1 percent, decreasing 1.1 percentage points from the previous month. Currituck County had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.1 percent, followed by Orange, 5.7 percent; and Chatham, 6.7 percent.
Watauga's rate fell from 8.3 percent in August. A year earlier, in September 2011, the county's jobless rate was 8.5 percent.
North Carolina had 36 counties that were at or below the state's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.9 percent, according to information released by the N.C. Department of Commerce on Friday. Unemployment rates decreased in all 14 of the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas, the department said.
The number of workers employed (not seasonally adjusted) increased in September by 72,188 to 4,291,292, while those unemployed fell 31,303 to 421,149. Since September 2011, the number of workers unemployed decreased 62,424, while those employed increased 103,546.
The Department of Commerce previously announced North Carolina's state average unemployment rate for September, which was 8.9 percent — down from 9.7 percent in August.
Scotland County recorded September's highest unemployment rate at 16.1 percent, decreasing 1.1 percentage points from the previous month. Currituck County had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.1 percent, followed by Orange, 5.7 percent; and Chatham, 6.7 percent.