Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 89 of North Carolina’s counties in May, decreased in six, and remained unchanged in five. Wayne County went from 3.7 percent in April to 4.0 in May.

Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent while Chatham and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 2.9 percent.

All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.9 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, July 22, 2022 when the state unemployment
rate for June 2022 will be released.