North Carolina Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for North Carolina fell 0.2 percentage points in May 2021 to 4.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.0 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in North Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 13.5% and is now 8.7 percentage points lower. You can also see North Carolina unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | May 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 5.8% | -0.3 | -7.5 |
| North Carolina | 4.8% | -0.2 | -8.7 |
Note: All comparisons are made with May data as June 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 May 2020 at 647,514. There are now 407,991 fewer people unemployed in the state. North Carolina job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | May 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 239,523 | -11,691 | -407,991 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
North Carolina Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
North Carolina Unemployment Rate |
North Carolina Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 5.9% | — | — |
| May 2021 | 5.8% | 4.8% | 239,523 |
| April 2021 | 6.1% | 5.0% | 251,214 |
| March 2021 | 6.0% | 5.2% | 258,974 |
| February 2021 | 6.2% | 5.7% | 286,655 |
| January 2021 | 6.3% | 5.9% | 297,719 |
| December 2020 | 6.7% | 6.1% | 308,883 |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 6.4% | 323,110 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 6.8% | 340,996 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 7.3% | 364,282 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 6.8% | 331,558 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 8.8% | 433,293 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
