SALISBURY — Rowan County’s unemployment rate increased in May to 6.7 percent, up half a percentage point from April.
According to statistics released Tuesday by the state, Rowan County had 68,817 residents in the labor force in May and 4,590 residents unemployed. The unemployment rate in April was 6.2 percent. The rate one year ago was 8.6 percent.
Most counties — 92 of 100 — saw unemployment rates increase in May. Rates decreased in seven counties and remained unchanged in one. All 14 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.
Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 12.7 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 4.6 percent. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 9.8 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville at 5.1 percent had the lowest. The May statewide rate, which has not been seasonally adjusted, was 6.6 percent.
The number of workers employed statewide increased in May by 33,207 to 4,414,534, while those unemployed increased 29,237 to 312,061. Since May 2013, the number of workers employed statewide increased 72,777, while those unemployed decreased 77,813.