Rowan's unemployment up in December

Unemployment rates increased in 93 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in December. Rates decreased in four counties and remained the same in three.

In Rowan County, unemployment rose to 10.8 percent in December 2011 from 10.5 percent in November 2011. Unemployment in December 2010 was 11.4 percent.

In Cabarrus County, unemployment rose to 9.8 percent in December 2011 from 9.3 percent in November 2011. The rate for December 2010 was 10.1 percent.

North Carolina’s state unemployment rate for December was 9.8 percent, meaning Rowan County was a full percentage point above the state average.

Unemployment increased in 93 of the state’s 100 counties in December, according to the press release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

No explanation was offered for the increase.

In counties surrounding Rowan, the unemployment rate changed as follows:

• Davidson — 10.5 percent for December 2011, up from 10.3 in November; 11.1 percent in December 2010.

• Davie — 10.4 percent for December 2011, up from 9.9 in November 2011; 9.7 in December 2010.

• Iredell — 10.4 percent for December 2011, up from 10 percent in November 2011; December 2010 rate was 11 percent.

• Stanly — 10.3 percent for December 2011, up from 10.2 in November 2011; the December 2010 rate was 11.1 percent.

The county with the highest unemployment rate in December 2011 was Graham, with 17.5 percent, 2.3 percentage points higher than November 2011. Scotland County was the second highest, with 17.1 percent. The lowest unemployment rate was 6.1 percent for Orange County, which includes Chapel Hill.