Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in May and remained unchanged in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.5 percent.

The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.7 percent.

Rowan’s rate was 5.3 percent, compared to 5.5 percent in April. The rate in May 2015 was 6.3 percent.

In Cabarrus County, the rate was a full point lower than Rowan at 4.3 percent. Cabarrus’ rate in April was 4.5 percent. The rate in May 2015 was 5.4 percent.

In counties surrounding Rowan:

Davie’s rate is 4.3 percent, compared to 4.5 percent in April and 5.3 percent a year ago.

Davidson has an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent, compared to 4.7 percent in April and 5.9 percent in May 2015.

Iredell’s rate was also 4.5 percent in May, 4.7 percent in April and 5.8 percent in May 2015.

Stanly County’s rate was 4.3 percent in May, 4.6 percent in April and 5.6 percent in May 2015.

In ranking the state’s 100 counties, with Buncombe as No. 1 and Scotland as 100, Rowan ranks at 68. Cabarrus is 13, Davidson, 26; Davie, 16; and Stanly, 15th.