SALISBURY — Rowan County’s unemployment rate continued to decrease in July, according to figures released Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

The county’s unemployment rate was 4 percent, compared to 4.2 percent in June and 4.8 percent in July 2017.

Cabarrus County had a 3.7 jobless rate in July, decreasing by 0.1 percent from June and from 4.4 percent in July of last year.

Other neighboring counties’ unemployment rates for July were:

• Davidson: 3.8 percent, compared to 3.9 percent in June and 4.6 percent a year ago.

• Davie: 3.6 percent, down 0.1 percent from June and 0.6 percent from July last year.

• Iredell: 3.7 percent, a decrease from 3.9 percent in June and 4.4 percent in July 2017.

• Stanly: 3.7 percent, which matched the June rate and was a decrease of 0.7 percent from July 2017.

The statewide unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in July. In June, it was 4.2 percent; a year ago, it was 4.8 percent.

The Department of Commerce recommends a focus on the year-over-year changes because employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns.