Raleigh, N.C. — The jobless rate in the Triangle increased to 7.3 percent in November from 7.1 percent the previous month, the state of North Carolina reported Thursday.

A year ago, the rate was 8.3 percent.

Seasonally adjusted data provided by East Carolina University noted that the jobless rate remained flat at a slightly higher 7.4 percent.

Across North Carolina, joblessness increased in 81 of 95 counties and in 11 of the 14 major metropolitan areas.

The state's unadjusted unemployment rate in November was 9 percent, compared with 8.8 percent in October.

According to data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce Labor and Economic Analysis Division, the state lost 22,002 jobs in November with employment declining to just over 4.3 million. The number of unemployed rose to nearly 425,000.

Orange County reported the state's lowest jobless rate at 5.7 percent.

Unemployment was worst in Graham County at 16.3 percent.

In other regional metro areas, unemployment climbed:

• In Fayetteville, to 9.5 percent last month from 9.4 percent the preceding month
• In Goldsboro, to 8.6 percent in November from 8.4 percent in October

In Rocky Mount, the rate remained flat at 11.7 percent.