By Deirdre Parker Smith

deirdre.smith@salisburypost.com

Unemployment increased in 83 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in October. Rowan County’s rate increased from 5.5 percent in September to 5.7 percent in October. The rate in October 2014 was 5.9 percent.

The rate lands Rowan County in the middle of the pack, ranked as 53rd. Franklin, Moore, Guilford, Alleghany and Gaston counties all have a 5.7 percent unemployment rate.

In Cabarrus County, the rate went up from 4.8 percent in September to 5 percent in October. The rate in October 2014 was also 5 percent.

The state unemployment rate for October is 5.5 percent.

The counties surrounding Rowan all saw an increase in unemployment:

• Davidson — 5.3 percent in October; 5.2 percent in September; 5.4 percent In October 2014.

• Davie — up to 4.8 percent, from 4.7 in September; the October 2014 rate was 4.9 percent.

• Iredell — up to 5.2 percent from 5.1 percent in September; the October 2014 rate was 5.3 percent.

• Stanly — 5.3 percent, up from 5 percent in September; October 2014, 5.1 percent.

The unemployment rate decreased in just six counties, including Buncombe, which had a rate of 4.1 percent. The lower rate in the Asheville area could be due to seasonal employment.

The highest rate was in Scotland and Graham counties, which both had rates of 10.3 percent.