Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — The unemployment rate in Iredell County ticked up slightly in May to 3.2 percent, according to the latest N.C. Department of Commerce report.

Iredell has a workforce of 96,996 individuals. Some 3,069 county residents were classified as unemployed in May.

The county’s unemployment rate in April was 2.9 percent.

Across North Carolina, unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 counties in May and decreased in five.

Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.3 percent while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.8 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 81 counties, increased in six, and remained unchanged in 13. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year and two remained unchanged.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in May by 18,428 to 5,070,115, while those unemployed increased by 16,527 to 179,804. Since May 2022, the number of workers employed statewide increased 76,493, while those unemployed decreased 4,675.