SALISBURY — Rowan County had a 3.5% unemployment rate in April, decreasing from 3.7% a year earlier.

The unemployment rate in March was 4.1% for the county.

Statewide, the unemployment rate continues to decrease compared to March. April’s rate was 3.6%.

Rowan County has 67,428 people in its labor force with 2,381 people unemployed.

The N.C. Department of Commerce recommends comparing the previous April because of seasonal adjustments in the rate.

The unemployment rates decreased in 41 counties in April, increased in 28 counties and remained the same in 31 counties.

Neighboring Cabarrus County had a unemployment rate of 3.2%, decreasing by 0.5% from March and 0.1% in April 2018.

Other neighboring counties’ unemployment rates in April were:

• Davidson, 3.4%, decreasing by 0.4% in March and no change from April 2018.

• Davie, 3%, down from 3.6% in March and 3.2% last year.

• Iredell, 3.2%, compared to 3.7% in March and 3.3% last April.

• Stanly, 3.3%, down from 3.9% in March and no change from April 2018.

Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 8.1%. Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7%.

Davie County was tied for the second-lowest unemployment rate.