Jan. 8. Unemployment rates increased in 39 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in November 2023, decreased in 17, and remained unchanged in 44. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent while Buncombe and Swain Counties each had the lowest at 2.6 percent.

Mecklenburg County’s jobless rate came in at 3.3 percent, while both Cabarrus and Iredell came in at 3.2 percent.

One year ago, Mecklenburg’s unemployment rate was 3.4 percent. In October it was 3.2.

The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area jobless rate in November was 3.2 percent, the same as October. It was down from 3.3 percent the previous year.

For complete NC jobless data, click here.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in November by 27,699 to 5,086,500, while those unemployed increased by 402 to 177,244. Since November 2022, the number of workers employed statewide increased 126,461, while those unemployed decreased 7,217.