Jobless rate declines
Published 5:48 pm Friday, January 2, 2015
Beaufort County’s unemployment rate fell slightly from October 2014 to November 2014, according to figures released by the N.C. Department of Labor.
The county’s unemployment rate fell from 6.6 percent in October to 6.5 percent in November, a decline of 0.1 percent. In November 2013, the county’s unemployment rate was at 8.5 percent, according to the department.
Statewide, the unemployment rate for November was 5.3 percent, down from 5.5 percent in October, according to the by the department’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division.
Beaufort County’s work force totaled 19,158 people in November, with 1,242 of them unable to secure employment, according to LEAD information.
For November, 72 of the state’s 100 counties saw their unemployment rates decline, 20 counties saw their jobless rates increase and eight counties saw their unemployment rates remain the same from October through November, according to LEAD figures.
For November, 25 counties had unemployment rates at 5 percent or less, while 73 counties experienced jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent, according to LEAD figures. Two counties had unemployment rates at 10 percent or higher in November.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in November by 44,017 to 4,378,140, while those unemployed decreased 11,875 to 246,318. Since November 2013, the number of workers employed statewide increased 25,373, while those unemployed decreased 79,162, according to LEAD information.
In November, Graham County had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 11.4 percent, while Chatham County posted the lowest rate at 3.7 percent, according to NCDL information.
For November, Hyde County’s jobless rate was at 6.8 percent, up from 5.4 percent in October and down from 8.4 percent in September 2013. Martin County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.5 percent in October to 6.1 percent in November. Its jobless rate for November 2013 was at 8.2 percent. Washington County’s jobless rate was at 6.5 percent in November, up from 6.4 percent in October. Its jobless rate for November 2013 was 8.8 percent. Pitt County’s jobless rate for November was 5.3 percent, down from 5.7 percent the previous month. In November 2013, Pitt County’s unemployment rate was at 6.9percent.
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.