Unemployment rates increased in 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in December, decreased in one, and were unchanged in two. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas also experienced rate increases while one metro decreased. The December (not seasonally adjusted) statewide rate was 9.5 percent.
Rowan County’s rate ticked up to 9.7 percent, compared to 9.2 in November 2012 and 11.1 percent in December 2011.
Cabarrus County also saw an increase in unemployment, up to 8.7 percent in December 2012 from 8.3 in November 2012. The December 2011 rate was 9.9 percent.
In other counties surrounding Rowan:
Davidson — 10.1 percent for December 2012, up from 9.5 percent in November 2012; December 2011 was 11.1 percent.
Davie — 8.2 percent in December 2012, up from 8 percent in November 2012; 10.7 in December 2011.
Iredell — 9.7 percent in December 2012, up from 9.1 percent in November 2012; 10.9 percent in December 2011.
Stanly — 9.4 percent in December 2012, up from 9.1 percent in November 2012; 10.8 in December 2011.
Graham County had the highest unemployment rate at 18.5 percent, while Orange County had the lowest at 5.9 percent. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 12.5 percent experienced the highest rate, and Durham-Chapel Hill at 7.2 percent had the lowest.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates dropped in 93 counties, increased in five and remained unchanged in two. All 14 metro areas decreased over the year.
The number of workers employed (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in December by 58,847 to 4,262,359, while those unemployed rose 19,610 to 444,851. Since December 2011, the number of workers unemployed decreased by 29,895, while those employed increased by 93,514.