North Carolina Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for North Carolina fell 0.1 percentage points in December 2011 to 9.9%. The state unemployment rate was 1.4 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in North Carolina peaked in January 2010 at 11.4% and is now 1.5 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 9.7% in March 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see North Carolina unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
North Carolina	9.9%	-0.1	+0.1

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: North Carolina, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

North Carolina Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in North Carolina peaked in February 2010 at 520,039. There are now 73,637 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 435,187 in March 2011, the number of unemployed has now grown by 11,215. North Carolina job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
North Carolina	446,402	-5,193	+9,154

Number of Unemployed Persons

North Carolina Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	North Carolina Unemployment Rate	North Carolina Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	9.9%	446,402
November 2011	8.7%	10.0%	451,595
October 2011	8.9%	10.4%	467,798
September 2011	9.0%	10.5%	474,841
August 2011	9.1%	10.4%	469,439
July 2011	9.1%	10.1%	456,393
June 2011	9.1%	9.9%	447,369
May 2011	9.0%	9.7%	436,861
April 2011	9.0%	9.7%	435,259
March 2011	8.9%	9.7%	435,187
February 2011	9.0%	9.8%	436,945
January 2011	9.1%	9.8%	439,572