Unemployment Rate Remains Stable Across Triangle

Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment rates remained stable in Raleigh-Cary and Durham and improved slightly in Orange County in December, according to the latest statistics from the state Employment and Security Commission.

While the statewide unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.7 percent in December from 4.6 in November, the jobless rate remained 3.5 percent in Raleigh-Cary and 3.7 percent in Durham.

Orange County’s jobless rate, which already was the state’s lowest, dropped slightly to 2.9 percent in December from 3 percent in November.

Fayetteville’s jobless rate remained stable at 5 percent. But in Goldsboro and Rocky Mount, unemployment climbed 2 tenths of a percent to 4.7 percent and 6.1 percent respectively.

County jobless rates also stayed stable in Wake (3.4 percent) and Durham (3.7 percent).

In Johnston County, the rate ticked up to 4.0 percent from 3.9 percent.

Over the past year, the ESC noted, the number of jobs increased in several markets: Raleigh-Cary 1.8 percent; Durham 1.9 percent; Greenville 2.1 percent; Rocky Mounty 3.7 percent; Fayetteville 4.3 percent; and Goldsboro 0.9 .

In Johnston County, the rate ticked up to 4.0 percent from 3.9 percent.

Over the past year, the ESC noted, the number of jobs increased in several markets: Raleigh-Cary 1.8 percent; Durham 1.9 percent; Greenville 2.1 percent; Rocky Mounty 3.7 percent; Fayetteville 4.3 percent; and Goldsboro 0.9 percent.

The unemployment rates in the metro areas for December:

• Asheville — 3.5 percent, no change from November.

• Burlington — 4.9 percent, up from 4.7 percent.

• Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord NC-SC — 4.8 percent, up from 4.7 percent.

• Durham — 3.7 percent, no change.

• Fayetteville — 5.0 percent, no change.

• Goldsboro — 4.7 percent, up from 4.5 percent.

• Greensboro-High Point — 4.7 percent, no change.

• Greenville — 4.8 percent, no change.

• Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton — 5.9 percent, up from 5.7 percent.

• Jacksonville — 4.3 percent, no change.

• Raleigh-Cary — 3.5 percent, no change.

• Rocky Mount — 6.1 percent, up from 5.9 percent.

• Wilmington — 4.3 percent, up from 4.1 percent.

• Winston-Salem — 4.3 percent, down from 4.4 percent.