Triangle unemployment rate stays at 8 percent in August

The jobless rate declines in 82 of the state's 100 counties and across all 14 metropolitan statistical areas, the Employment Security Commission reports.

Posted 2:16 p.m. Sep 24, 2010 — Updated 2:26 p.m. Sep 24, 2010

RALEIGH, N.C. — Unemployment in the triangle remained flat at 8 percent in August, the N.C. Employment Security Commission reported Friday.

However, the jobless rate did decline in the state’s 14 metropolitan statistical areas and in 82 of 100 counties.

The state’s overall jobless rate is 9.8 percent.

The Triangle measure differs from Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel Hill, which are measured as separate metro areas.

“Unemployment rates continued to drop in most of the state’s 100 counties in August,” said ESC Chairman Lynn Holmes in a statement. “However, while the rates have lowered, current economic conditions continue to be a challenge for many communities across North Carolina as the unemployment rate remains at 10 percent or over in half of the state’s counties.”

The metropolitan statistical area rates for August as reported by the ESC:

• Asheville – 8 percent, down from 8.1 percent in July

• Burlington – 10.6 percent, down from 10.9 percent

• Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC – 11 percent, down from 11.3 percent

• Durham-Chapel Hill – 7.3 percent, down from 7.4 percent

• Fayetteville – 9 percent, down from 9.1 percent

• Goldsboro – 8.3 percent, down from 8.5 percent

• Greensboro-High Point – 10.4 percent, down from 10.7 percent

• Greenville – 9.8 percent, down from 10 percent

• Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton – 12.6 percent, down from 12.8 percent

• Jacksonville – 7.9 percent, down from 8 percent

• Raleigh-Cary – 8.2 percent, down from 8.3 percent