N.C. unemployment rate climbs to 9.7 percent

RALEIGH, N.C. — The jobs situation in North Carolina worsened in August, increasing slightly to 9.7 percent from 9.6 percent in July.

The rate is seasonally adjusted for a variety of economic factors and is considered a more reliable measure of the true jobs picture than the unadjusted rate.

A year ago, the jobless rate was 10.7 percent, the North Carolina Department of Commerce Labor and Economic Analysis Division noted in the new report released Friday morning.

North Carolina continues to have one of the worst jobless rates in the country. Nationally, unemployment stood at 8.1 percent last month. More Info N.C. county-by-county unemployment rates

“Looking at the data long-term, North Carolina has added nearly 98,000 nonfarm jobs since January 2010,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll. “Our workforce partners and our employment service offices across our state are committed to helping employers put citizens back to work in North Carolina.”

Total nonfarm industry employment did increase by 1,100 to just above 3.95 million, based on a survey of businesses, the state said.

However, the number of people listed as unemployed grew by 5,952 to 451,642.

Most of the addition jobs came in government, which added 8,400 positions.

The "other services" category reported 1,200 more jobs. Professional and business services added 800, education and health services increased by 600, and information employment grew by 300.

The biggest drops came in construction (3,400), trade, transportation and utilities (2,500), manufacturing (2,300), and financial activities (1,000.).

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apexwhimsy, when people use those terms, I think they too are referring exclusively to women who push out babies, illegals, those who could work or work under the table, who "hide" money in gold chains for toddlers because jewelry isn't counted among the applicant's assets - people who scam. They're not talking about people who have become victims of this economy, except again maybe those who knowingly gambled on a way-too-big house or name-brand college degree, then suddenly had no income. I think the line is drawn when the recip is dishonest about it.

storchheim
September 21, 2012 7:57 p.m.

Well WhooHoo2You... that's what it says in the article so I would hope the person who reported it has the source-justcommonsense

I was not questioning this *weeks* numbers but Nancy's comment " Still the largest growth sector for jobs." The word "still" (as in normally) is inaccurate to say the least.

BTW, so this article from WRAL is not 'liberal media lies?' I can never keep track...

WooHoo2You
September 21, 2012 7:55 p.m.

I'm sitting here reading these comments, and I have to ask those who feel the need to use the term "leech" and "entitlements" and "freebies". Are there any situations where you feel it is okay to have assistance? Assistance in any form is almost always taken advantage of if it is possible, but does that mean that every single person on unemployment, food stamps, etc is a drain on society? What would you suggest then?

It's very easy to speak from the top of the mountain when you have never been in the valley. Not everyone is the same, just because you did it does not mean the entire country can. And I'm not talking about the women who continually push out babies to keep on public assistance, or illegal immigrants. I'm talking about your neighbor who abruptly lost his job and has to file unemployment and put his family on food stamps to survive.

apexwhimsy
September 21, 2012 7:39 p.m.

Well WhooHoo2You... that's what it says in the article so I would hope the person who reported it has the source

justcommonsense
September 21, 2012 7:36 p.m.

"Most of the addition jobs came in government, which added 8,400 positions."

Still the largest growth sector for jobs. That's not good.-Nancy

Care to backup that wild claim (especially with all the government cutbacks) or is that too much to ask?

WooHoo2You
September 21, 2012 7:07 p.m.