February 5, 2009 Issue
Watauga Has State’s Second-Lowest Unemployment Rate
The NC Employment Security Commission reported last week that unemployment rates increased in 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in December, adding to November’s news when all counties experienced an increase in unemployment.
The seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate stands at 8.7 percent, an increase of 0.9 of a percentage point since November and 4 percentage points since December 2007. It is the highest rate since June 1983 when the rate was 9 percent.
Orange County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 4.8 percent in December, followed by Watauga County at 5.7 percent and Wake County at 6.1 percent.
Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 13.9 percent, and Edgecombe County had the second-highest rate at 13.8 percent.
At 5.7 percent, Watauga County posted a slight increase in unemployment in December compared to November’s 5.1 percent. An estimated 1,383 people are out of work in Watauga.
Avery County also posted an increase—from November’s 6.8 to December’s 7.6 percent—but is still below the state rate. An estimated 692 people are out of work in Avery.
The unemployment numbers in Ashe and Wilkes, however, are well above the statewide rate.
In Ashe, December unemployment was 10.1 percent, a 1.8 percent increase over November’s 8.3 percent. An estimated 1,330 people are out of work in Ashe.
In Wilkes, December’s rate was 9.2 percent, compared to November’s 8.7, with an estimated 2,914 people out of work.
“Every corner of North Carolina is feeling the effects of our national economy. Layoffs and cutbacks have taken a toll on many of our sectors, including retail during the holiday season, professional and business services, along with construction and manufacturing,” said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. in a statement. “In our offices throughout the state, the ESC is helping those who have filed a claim or are in need of other services like worker retaining.”
In December, $194.2 million in benefits was paid to 189,458 individuals statewide, compared with $127.6 million to 141,298 individuals in November. New claims totaling 86,024 for the month ending December 2008 increased 36,249 from the prior month.
The state unemployment rate for January will be released on Wednesday, March 11.
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