Business Briefs

Triangle unemployment rate creeps up to record 9.4%

New data shows almost 4,000 people were working in February, but those out of work and seeking employment increased by some 600. Most new jobs are in government, education and health services.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Unemployment across the Triangle crept a bit higher in February to another record high of 9.4 percent, the North Carolina Employment Security Commission reported Wednesday.

The rate in January was 9.3.

According to the ESC, the Combined Statistical Area workforce – people working and those seeking work – grew by nearly 4,000 to 868,756.

Employment grew to 787,415, up by almost 4,000.

Those seeking work increased in number to 81,341 from 80,758.

Unemployment in the Raleigh-Cary metro area increased to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent in January. The number of jobs increased by 2,700, with 1,500 being added in education and health services, 900 in professional and business services, and 300 in government.

However, the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area rate remained stable at 8.4 percent. Employment increased by 1,600 with 1,400 of those being government jobs.

Across the state, the jobless rate is 11.8 percent. It is not seasonably adjusted.

Unemployment in Wake remained 9.2 percent in February, the same as in January. Durham County’s rate also stayed stable at 8.5 percent. Orange County’s rate remained 6.9 percent.

In the state’s other major metro areas, the jobless rate increased in six.

Metro statistical areas for February were:

• Asheville — 10.2 percent, up from 10.1 percent in January.

• Burlington — 13.2 percent, no change.

• Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC — 12.8 percent, no change.

• Durham-Chapel Hill — 8.4 percent, no change.

• Fayetteville — 9.8 percent, no change.

• Goldsboro — 9.8 percent, down from 9.9 percent.

• Greensboro-High Point — 12.4 percent, up from 12.3 percent.

• Greenville — 10.7 percent, no change.

• Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton — 15.8 percent, up from 15.7 percent.

• Jacksonville — 8.6 percent, down from 8.7 percent.

• Raleigh-Cary — 9.6 percent, up from 9.5 percent.

• Rocky Mount — 14.7 percent, up from 14.6 percent..

• Wilmington — 11.6 percent, down from 11.7 percent.

• Winston-Salem — 11.1 percent, up from 11 percent.

 

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