FROM STAFF REPORTS

The unemployment rate decreased sharply in Iredell County in June after stay-at-home restrictions related to COVID-19 were eased prior to Memorial Day weekend.

According to the N.C. Commerce Department, Iredell’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.9 percent in June, down from 13.5 percent in May.

Iredell has a labor force of 85,863 people. Some 6,814 are currently unemployed.

Across the state, unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in June.

Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.5 percent, while Duplin had the lowest at 5.4 percent.

All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced decreases in June. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 10 percent and New Bern had the lowest at 6.7 percent. The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 7.9 percent.

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in all 100 counties. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in June by 214,058 to 4,439,240, while those unemployed decreased by 232,889 to 380,123. Since June 2019, the number of workers employed statewide decreased 445,126, while those unemployed increased 166,971.