Unemployment rates increased in 91 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in June. Rates decreased in six counties and remained the same in three.
Rowan was one of the counties with an increase, from 11 percent in May to 11.5 in June.
Cabarrus County also saw an increase to 10.3, compared to 9.6 in May.
From July 2010 to June 2011, $82,392,583 has been paid in unemployment benefits in Rowan County.
“What we are seeing in most metropolitan areas across North Carolina is a loss in government employment,” said ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes.
“This is partially attributed to changes in local and state education at the end of the school year. The ESC’s mission, along with our economic and workforce development partners, is to put people back to work. … Also, the new Career Transition Center is now open to assist those state employees who have been laid off or affected by reduction in force.”
North Carolina had 46 counties that were at or below the state’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 10.4 percent.
Rates increased in all 14 of the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in June, at 5.5 percent. Meanwhile, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 17.1 percent.
Counties around Rowan mostly saw a rise in unemployment, as well, with the exception of Davie County, which remains at 9.2 percent.
• Davidson — 11.5 percent for June, May was 10.8.
• Iredell — 11.1 percent for June, May was 10.7
• Stanly — 11.3 percent for June, May was 10.6.
North Carolina’s statewide unemployment rate of 10.4 percent in June is .7 of a percentage point increase from May’s revised rate of 9.7 percent, and a .2 percentage point drop over the year.
Unemployment rates in the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (Metros) showed the Rocky Mount Metro had the highest unemployment rate in June at 13.7 percent. The Durham/Chapel Hill Metro had the lowest unemployment rate at 8 percent, which increased .7 of a percentage point from the previous month. Asheville followed at 8.2 percent.