What is the unemployment rate in North Carolina right now?
Refreshed monthly
Unemployment in North Carolina was at 3.7% in April 2026. That's unchanged from the month before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It's a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.
In April 2026,
3.7%
of the labor force was unemployed in North Carolina
April 2026 had a
+0
percentage point change from the previous month
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the unemployment rate through a monthly survey to identify the civilian labor force, meaning people who are employed or actively seeking work. It counts part-time workers as employed. It excludes people who aren’t actively looking for work, such as retirees or discouraged workers.
In April 2026, the unemployment rate in North Carolina was lower than the US overall.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to April 2026
Unemployment rates differ within states due to various factors. Counties with many job opportunities and different industries often have lower unemployment rates. In rural areas or in places where industries are shrinking, the rate can be higher. Seasonal work in industries like tourism or farming can lead to unemployment rising or falling. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.
What counties in North Carolina have the highest and lowest unemployment?
Understanding unemployment rates in different regions is necessary for addressing economic disparities and implementing effective policies. In North Carolina, the county with the highest unemployment rate is [county_name] with an unemployment rate of [percentage]%. Other counties with high unemployment rates include [county_name] at [percentage]% and [county_name] at [percentage]%. Conversely, the county with the lowest unemployment rate is [county_name] with an unemployment rate of [percentage]%. Additional counties with low unemployment rates are [county_name] at [percentage]% and [county_name] at [percentage]%. High unemployment rates in certain counties may be due to factors such as industry decline or lack of access to education and training programs. On the other hand, counties with low unemployment rates might benefit from a diverse economy and robust job training initiatives. Addressing unemployment issues in high-rate areas is necessary for economic growth, while studying low-rate areas can provide valuable insights for best practices.In North Carolina, Hyde County, NC had the highest unemployment rate at 8.5%. Stanly County, NC had the lowest at 2.8%. Wake County, NC, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 3.0%. The latest county-level data is from March 2026.
Unemployment rates in North Carolina counties ranged from 2.8% to 8.5% in March 2026.
Unemployment rate, by county, not seasonally adjusted
Unemployment rate, by county in North Carolina (March 2026)
| 1. | Hyde County, NC | 8.5% |
| 2. | Edgecombe County, NC | 5.4% |
| 3. | Tyrrell County, NC | 5.3% |
| 4. | Dare County, NC | 5.1% |
| 5. | Halifax County, NC | 5.1% |
| 6. | Bladen County, NC | 4.8% |
| 7. | Scotland County, NC | 4.8% |
| 8. | Robeson County, NC | 4.7% |
| 9. | Bertie County, NC | 4.5% |
| 10. | Wilson County, NC | 4.5% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
