Beaufort County’s unemployment rate fell 1 percent from August to September, declining from 8.4 percent to 7.4 percent, according to figures released this week by the N.C. Department of Labor.

Statewide, the unemployment rate for September was 6.1 percent, down from 7 percent in August. Statewide, 98 of the state’s 100 counties saw their unemployment rates decrease from August to September, according to the N.C. Labor Department. One county’s jobless rate increased from August to September, with one county’s unemployment rate unchanged during that period.

On Friday, attempts to contact area work-force development personnel for their views on the decline in the unemployment rate in Beaufort County were unsuccessful.

Beaufort County’s work force totaled 19,386 people during September, with 17,954 of those people able to secure employment, according to figures provided by the department’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division. That meant 1,432 people could not find employment, according to LEAD data.

In August, Beaufort County’s work force totaled 19,396 people. Of that number, 1,616 of those people were unable to secure employment.

For September, 12 counties had unemployment rates at 5 percent or less, while 85 counties experienced jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent, according to NCDL figures. Three counties had unemployment rates at 10 percent or higher in August.

In September, Graham County had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 12.2 percent, while Currituck County posted the lowest rate at 4.2 percent, according to NCDL information.

For September, Hyde County’s jobless rate was at 5.5 percent, up from 6.1 percent in August and down from 6.7 percent in September 2013. Martin County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.1 percent in August to 7.2 percent in September. Its jobless rate for September 2013 was at 8.8 percent. Washington County’s jobless rate was at 7 percent in September, down from 7.9 percent in August. Its jobless rate for September 2013 was 8.8 percent. Pitt County’s jobless rate for September was 6.2 percent, down from 7.4 percent the previous month. In September 2013, Pitt County’s unemployment rate was at 7.4 percent.

In September, the number of workers (not seasonally adjusted) employed statewide increased by 45,670 to 4,373,599, while those without jobs decreased 41,683 to 282,633.

Since September 2013, the number of workers employed

statewide increased 22,939, while those unemployed decreased 58,540, according to NCDL data.

The jobless figures released by NCDL do not include unemployed people whose unemployment insurance benefits expired and who are not listed as unemployed. Factor in those people and a county’s true jobless rate is higher.