SALISBURY — The unemployment rate for Rowan County fell nearly one point in August to 8.5 percent.
The rate was down from 9.4 percent in July and 10.1 percent a year ago in August 2012.
Rowan County had 70,474 people in the labor force in August and 6,006 people listed as unemployed.
Unemployment rates decreased in 98 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in August. All 14 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.
Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 15.2 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 4.1 percent. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 12 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville at 6.3 percent had the lowest.
The August statewide rate was 8.3 percent. None of the rates have seasonally adjusted yet.
When compared to the same month last year, unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties.
The number of workers employed statewide decreased in August by 19,577 to 4.3 million, while those unemployed decreased by 44,354 to 388,448. Since August 2012, the number of workers employed statewide increased 41,105, while those unemployed decreased 69,993.
The statewide unemployment rate release for September 2013 is scheduled for Oct. 22.