Unemployment down in Watauga
Watauga County's unemployment rate dipped to 7.1 percent for
August, making it one of 90 counties in North Carolina to see a drop in unemployment last
month.
According to data released Friday by the North Carolina Employment Security
Commission, Watauga had 1,693 unemployed workers out of a labor force of 23,763. Watauga's rate was
7.7 percent in July.
The statewide job gains marked the second straight month of lower
unemployment in most counties, though the statewide unemployment rate is at 10.8
percent.
Watauga's rate was tied for fifth-lowest among the 100 counties, with Currituck
County the lowest at 5.1 percent and Scotland County the highest at 16.5 percent.
Among
surrounding metropolitan areas, Asheville's rate dropped from 9 percent to 8.5; Winston-Salem's
declined from 10.2 percent to 10 percent; and the Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir area dropped from 15 to
14.6 percent last month.
Over the past year, Watauga's unemployed workers have received $9.8
million in various benefits.
