By Staff
Beaufort County’s
unemployment rate
remains unchanged
By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Hyde County had the highest jobless rate in the state in February. It was the only county in the state with an unemployment rate over 10 percent in February.
Beaufort County’s unemployment rate for February was unchanged at 6.2 percent, the same rate as the previous month.
Unemployment rates in Hyde, Martin and Washington counties increased from January to February, according to data released by the N.C. Employment Security Commission. The state’s jobless rate for February was 5.4 percent, a 0.1 percent increase over January’s unemployment rate of 5.3 percent.
Hyde County’s jobless rate increased from 11.2 percent in January to 11.7 percent in February, a 0.5-percent increase.
In Hyde County, there were 2,370 people in the labor force during February, with 2,092 of them employed. That left 278 members of the labor force unable to find jobs.
Martin County’s unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in February, an increase of 0.2 percent from January’s jobless rate of 5.5 percent.
In Martin County, there were 12,029 people in the labor force during February, with 11,343 of them employed. That left 686 members of the work force unable to find jobs.
In Washington County, the jobless rate for February was 7.3 percent, a 0.2 percent increase over January’s unemployment rate of 7.1 percent.
In Washington County, there were 6,305 people in the labor force during February, with 5,845 of them employed. That left 460 members of the labor force unable to find employment.
Across the state, there were 4,499,824 people in the labor force during February, with 4,255,282 of them employed. That left 244,542 members of the work force unable to secure employment.
Seventy-two of North Carolina ’s 100 counties experienced unemployment rate increases in February, according to statistics released today by the state’s Employment Security Commission. Rates decreased in 19 counties and remained the same in nine counties.
Across the state, total county employment (not-seasonally adjusted) decreased in February by 17,698 workers from 4,272,980 to 4,255,282. Not-seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 5,030 workers. The unemployment total in February was 244,542 compared with 239,512 in January.
In February, 18 counties had jobless rates less than 5 percent. Eighty-one counties had unemployment rates from 5 percent to 10 percent.
In January, 22 counties had jobless rates less than 5 percent. Seventy-five counties had unemployment rates from 5 percent to 10 percent. Three counties had jobless rates over 10 percent.
Unemployment increases across the nation are setting off recession alarms. In March, the national unemployment rate climbed to 5.1 percent.
North Carolina’s jobless rate for March is expected to be announced April 18.