RALEIGH — Unemployment rates increased in 47 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in August. Rates decreased in 32 counties and remained the same in 21.
Rowan County’s rate went down just slightly, to 11.7 percent from 11.8 in July. The rate for August 2010 was 12.2 percent.
In Cabarrus County, the rate for August is 10.3, down from 10.5 in July. In August 2010, the rate was 10.6.
“Just over half of North Carolina’s 100 counties stayed the same or decreased,” said ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes. “Looking at this month’s data, it’s clear we must remain focused on assisting our customers with many services to help them find work in this static economy.”
From September 2010 to August 2011, Rowan County has paid $75,432,310 in unemployment. Cabarrus has paid $96,862,727 over the same period.
Rates in surrounding counties include:
• Davidson — 11.3 percent, compared to 11.4 in July; August 2010 was 11.7 percent.
• Davie — 9.5 percent, up from 9.3 in July; August 2010 was 9.6.
• Iredell — 11.1 percent, up from 11 percent in July, August, 2010 was 11.7 percent.
• Stanly — unchanged at 11.5 percent. August 2010 was 11.9 percent.
North Carolina had 42 counties that were at or below the state’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 10.4 percent.
Rates increased in 10 of the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Rates decreased in three and remained the same in one.
Scotland County recorded August’s highest unemployment rate at 17.6 percent, 0.1 of a percentage point lower than last month. Edgecombe County had the second-highest rate at 15.1 percent.
Currituck County had the lowest unemployment rate at 4.5 percent, followed by Hyde, 6.8 percent; Orange, 7.4 percent; Dare, 7.5 percent; and Chatham, 7.6 percent.
The number of workers employed (not-seasonally adjusted) decreased in August by 45,950 to 4,038,915. The number of people unemployed decreased by 3,007. The number of unemployed people in August was 471,319 workers, compared with 474,326 in July.