Staff report
After falling to its lowest level since spring in September, Rowan County’s unemployment rate climbed above 13 percent again in October, according to figures released Tuesday by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
Jobless rates increased in 74 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Rates decreased in 19 counties, including Davie, and remained steady in seven.
“While some of the increases are seasonal, there is a continued effect throughout the state from this recession,” Employment Security Commission Chairman Moses Carey Jr. said in a press release. “Helping the jobless find work continues to be one of our major goals. We have seen some hiring over the past month, but we also know that layoffs continue to take place.”
In Rowan, the unemployment rate was 13.3 percent in October. That was up from 12.8 percent in September, when the rate dipped below 13 percent for the first time since April. Out of a labor force totaling 71,300 in Rowan, 9,449 were on the unemployment rolls in October.
Rowan’s jobless rate was higher than any surrounding county’s in October. They were:
– Cabarrus, 11.7 percent, up from 11.3 percent in September.
– Davie, 11.3 percent, down from 12.1 percent.
– Davidson, 13.1 percent, up from 12.5 percent.
– Iredell, 12.7 percent, up from 12.1 percent.
– Stanly, 12.7 percent, up from 11.9 percent.
The statewide unemployment rate for October was 10.7 percent, up from 10.4 percent in September.
Currituck County had North Carolina’s lowest unemployment rate in October at 6 percent. Scotland County had the highest rate at 17.2 percent.
The full report is available at the N.C. Employment Security Commission Web site, www.ncesc.com
The state unemployment rate for November will be released Dec. 18.