Unemployment rates decreased in 47 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in July, increased in 26 and were unchanged in 27. When compared to the same month last year, unemployment rates declined in 94 counties, increased in four, and remained the same in two.
Rowan’s rate did not change from June, at 10.3 percent. July 2011’s unemployment rate was 12.1 percent.
In Cabarrus County, the rate declined slightly, to 9.2 percent, from 9.3 in June. In July 2011, the rate was 10.6 percent.
In surrounding counties:
• Davidson — the rate went up to 10.7 percent, from 10.5 in June. The unemployment rate for July 2011 was 12.1 percent.
• Davie — The July 2012 unemployment rate is 8.5 percent, down from 8.7 in June. The rate in July 2011, the rate was 9.7.
• Iredell — The rate is 9.9 percent, down from June’s unemployment rate of 10.1. In July 2011, the rate was 11.7.
• Stanly — A slight dip in the unemployment rate to 10.1 percent for July compares with 10.2 in June; 12.2 percent in July 2011.
North Carolina had 34 counties that were at or below the state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.8 percent. Unemployment rates decreased in eight of the state’s 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The rate increased in two and stayed the same in four.
One county, Currituck, has an employment rate of 5 percent or below (4.7); 40 counties have rates between 5 and 10 percent; and 59 counties have rates of 10 percent or higher. Scotland County has the highest rate, at 17.6 percent.