Feb. 5. Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 NC counties in December 2024, increased in four, and remained unchanged in one. Mitchell County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent.

Mecklenburg county was at 3.2 percent, same as December the year before and down from 3.4 percent in November.

All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Asheville had the highest rate at 5.1 percent while Wilmington had the lowest at 2.8 percent.

The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in December by 5,333 to 5,041,982, while those unemployed decreased by 15,384 to 178,498. Since December 2023, the number of workers employed statewide increased 7,430, while those unemployed increased 9,851.