Rowan County’s unemployment rate is up slightly for May, to 10 percent, compared to April, which was 9.6 percent.
Unemployment rates rose in 76 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in May, according to a release from the N.C. Department of Commerce. Unemployment fell in 21 counties and were unchanged in three. When compared to the same month last year, unemployment rates declined in 88 counties, increased in eight, and remained the same in four.
The state unemployment rate is 9.4 percent.
In counties surrounding Rowan:
• Cabarrus County — 9.1 percent for May, compared to 8.4 in April and 9.8 percent in May 2011.
• Davidson County — 10.2 percent for May 2012; 8.4 for April; 9.8 percent for May 2011.
• Davie County — 8.9 percent for May 2012; 8.2 percent for April; 9.7 percent for May 2011.
• Iredell County — 9.8 percent for May 2012; 9.5 percent in April; 11.3 in May 2011.
• Stanly County — 9.7 percent for May 2011; 9.5 percent in April; 11.1 percent in May 2011.
Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in May at 5.2 percent, and Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 16.9 percent.
From June 2011 to May 2012, Rowan County paid $49,204,821 in unemployment benefits. Cabarrus has paid $67,040,664.