SALISBURY — Rowan County’s unemployment rate declined slightly in April, according to figures released today by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
April’s jobless rate was 10.8 percent, down from 10.9 percent in March. Compared to the same time a year ago, the difference is more significant. Rowan’s unemployment rate in April 2010 was 13.1 percent.
Cabarrus County’s employment picture fared better in April with a 9.4 percent jobless rate, down from 9.8 percent in March, the state agency reported.
Across the state, unemployment rates declined in 73 counties in April, increased in 10 counties and remained flat in 17.
The jobless rate has dropped below 10 percent in nearly half the state’s counties, including 36 counties where the rate is less than the statewide 9.5 percent, according to the Employment Security Commission.
Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in April at 5.6 percent. Scotland County had the highest, at 15.8 percent.
The rates in other counties around Rowan were:
• Davidson, 10.6 percent in April, down from 10.9 percent in March;
• Davie, 9.4 percent, down from 9.7 percent;
• Iredell, 10.4 percent, down from 10.7 percent;
• Stanley, 10.4 percent, down from 10.7 percent.