By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Unemployment rates in four area counties — Beaufort, Hyde, and Washington — increased from November 2009 to December 2009, according to figures released by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission.
Beaufort County’s jobless rate increased from 11.4 percent in November to 11.9 percent in November, a uptick of 0.5 percent. For each month during 2009, the county’s unemployment rate was at least 11 percent and no higher than 11.9 percent.
From November to December, unemployment rates increased in 86 of the state’s 100 counties, decreased in nine counties and remained the same in five counties, according to ESC figures released Friday. North Carolina had 44 counties which were at or below the state’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 10.9 percent for December, according to ESC figures.
Patrick Oswalt, manager of the Employment Security Commission office in Washington, said he does not expect the county’s unemployment rate to fluctuate more than a percentage point or two during the coming months. He does not expect the area’s unemployment situation to improve or worsen significantly anytime soon.
Claims for unemployment-insurance benefits remain steady, Oswalt said Monday.
“It’s the same. … We’ve had new claims come in, one here, one there,” he said.
Beaufort County’s work force for December was at 20,805 people, with 18,328 people with jobs and 2,477 people without employment. Beaufort County’s work force for November totaled 21,129 people, with 18,726 of them on the job. That left 2,403 people without employment, according to ESC figures. Beaufort County’s work force in October totaled 21,151 people, with 18,793 of them employed and 2,358 of them unemployed. Beaufort County’s work force totaled 21,142 people in September, with 18,776 people on the job and 2,366 unable to find employment. In August, Beaufort County’s work force totaled 21,113 people, with 18,733 on the job and 2,380 without jobs, according to ESC figures.
As of Monday, Beaufort County residents had received $979,137 in unemployment-insurance benefits during the past 30 days. So far this year, Beaufort County residents have received $979,137 in benefits.
“This recession continues to affect North Carolina ’s economy,” said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. in a press release. “Virtually every major job sector has been impacted. The ESC continues to work hard in providing many services to the citizens of North Carolina. Whether it be job search assistance or the issuing of unemployment benefits to those who are eligible, the ESC remains committed to the citizens of our state.”
Orange County had the state ’s lowest unemployment rate in December, at 6.2 percent. Graham County had the highest unemployment rate, at 17.6 percent.
Hyde County’s jobless rate increased from 8.8 percent in November to 12.2 percent in November, an increase of 3.4 percent.
Martin County’s unemployment rate of 10.5 percent in November increased to 10.8 percent in December, an increase of 0.3 percent.
Washington County’s jobless rate increased from 12.3 percent in November to 12.8 percent in December, a rise of 0.5 percent.
In December, no county had a jobless rate at or below 5 percent, 27 counties had employment rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and 73 counties had jobless rates higher than 10 percent, according to ESC data.