By Staff
ESC’s Oswaltsees no reliefin near future
By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Mirroring North Carolina’s unemployment rate during the past 12 months, Beaufort County’s jobless rate has shown a steady increase during the same time period.
Twelve months ago, Beaufort County’s unemployment rate was at 5.5 percent. Six months ago, the rate was at 5.5 percent. Three months ago, the rate was at 6 percent. The county’s jobless rate for June was at 6.8 percent, according to the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
A year ago, the state’s jobless rate was at 4.7 percent, increasing to 4.9 percent six months ago. Three months ago, the state’s unemployment rate was at 5.4 percent, rising to 5.9 percent in June.
Unemployment rates for July for the state and each of its 100 counties are expected to be released Friday. Preliminary data indicates North Carolina’s jobless rate (seasonally adjusted) for July is at 6.6 percent, which is higher than the nation’s jobless rate of 5.7 percent in July, according to the ESC.
Oswalt expects jobless rates in the state and in area counties to keep rising. It’s possible those increasing unemployment rates could trigger the implementation for extended benefits for unemployed workers eligible for unemployment-insurance benefits, he said.
Oswalt said the rise in unemployment is a reflection of a sour national economy.
As of Wednesday, the Beaufort County’s work force totaled 22,050 people, with 1,502 of them without jobs.
In the past 30 days, $670,270 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to people in Beaufort County. For the year to date, $3,434,471 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to county residents.
As of the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2007, the average weekly wage in Beaufort County was $578, or $200 less than the average weekly wage in North Carolina, according to the ESC Web site.
Hyde County’s jobless rate has moved up and down during the past 12 months.
A year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was at 3.9 percent. Six months ago, the jobless rate was at 8.7 percent. The rate rose to 9.3 percent three months ago before falling to 4.8 percent in June.
As of Wednesday, the Hyde County’s work force totaled 3,062 people, with 146 of them without jobs.
In the past 30 days, $22,400 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to people in Hyde County. For the year to date, $442,342 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to county residents.
At the end of 2007, the average weekly wage in Hyde County was $517, or 66.5 percent of the average weekly wage of $778 in North Carolina, according to the ESC Web site.
Martin County’s jobless rate during the past 12 months has gone up and down, too. Twelve months ago, the county’s unemployment rate was at 5.6 percent. Six months ago, the jobless rate fell to 5.1 percent, but it rose to 5.5 percent three months ago. The jobless rate rose to 6.7 percent in June.
As of Wednesday, Martin County’s work force totaled 12,156 people, with 815 of them without jobs.
During the past 30 days, $306,508 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to people in Martin County. For the year to date, $1,614,878 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to county residents.
At the end of 2007, the average weekly wage in Martin County was $581, or 74.7 percent of the average weekly wage of $778 in North Carolina, according to the ESC Web site.
Washington County’s jobless rate also followed the national jobless trend for the past year. A year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was at 6.2 percent. Six months ago, the jobless rate was at 6.3 percent, rising to 6.9 percent three months ago. In June, the county’s unemployment rate was at 7.1 percent.
As of Wednesday, Washington County’s work force totaled 6,612 people, with 471 of them without jobs.
During the past 30 days, $172,769 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to people in Martin County. For the year to date, $940,723 in unemployment-insurance benefits have been paid to county residents.
At the end of 2007, the average weekly wage in Washington County was $466, or 59.9 percent of the average weekly wage of $778 in North Carolina, according to the ESC Web site.