Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — The unemployment rate held steady at 3.3 percent in Iredell County in July. 

Iredell County has a labor force of 98,554 individuals. Some 3,246 people are currently unemployed in the county.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 39 of North Carolina’s counties in July 2023, increased in 27, and remained unchanged in 34. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.7 percent while Buncombe and Swain Counties each had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Two of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, two increased, and 11 remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.2 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

Iredell County’s unemployment rate is down 0.3 percent compared to July of 2022.

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 97 counties, increased in two, and remained unchanged in one. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in July by 23,199 to 5,099,279, while those unemployed increased by 291 to 189,200. Since July 2022, the number of workers employed statewide increased 98,709, while those unemployed decreased 14,075.

It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.