September unemployment rate in Watauga sees 1 percent drop

According to the N.C. Employment Security Commission, unemployment rates decreased in 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in September, increased in one and were unchanged in two.

North Carolina had 36 counties that were at or below the state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.9 percent.

Unemployment rates decreased in all 14 of the state’s metropolitan statistical areas.

The number of workers employed (not seasonally adjusted) increased in September by 72,188 to 4,291,292, while those unemployed fell 31,303 to 421,149.

Since September 2011, the number of workers unemployed decreased
62,424, while those employed increased 103,546.

Watauga County saw a September rate of 7.3 percent, down 1 percent from August. Ashe County’s September rate of 10.2 percent indicates a .7 percent drop from the previous month, while Avery County’s September rate of 9.9 percent marks a .6 percent drop from August.

Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in September at 5.1 percent, and Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 16.1 percent.