Triangle unemployment rate dips to 7.4 percent

Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment in the Research Triangle Park area dipped slightly to 7.4 percent in October, according to data released Tuesday by the state Employment Security Commission.

The jobless rate was 7.5 percent in September. A year ago, unemployment stood at 8.4 percent across the Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill metro areas.

Statewide, unemployment was 9.1 percent in October. The jobless rate declined in 66 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

The ESC reported that 801,321 people were working last month, while 64,003 were not employed, seeking working and receiving jobless benefits.

The number of jobs increased by about 1,500, while the number of unemployed fell by about 400.

Separately, the Durham-Chapel Hill unemployment dipped to 6.6 percent from 6.8 percent the previous month while Raleigh-Cary saw a dip to 7.6 percent from 7.8 percent.

Across the state’s major metro areas, the jobless rate declined or remained the same.

• Asheville — 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent in September.
• Burlington — 9.7 percent, down from 10 percent.
• Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC — 10.2 percent, down from 10.6 percent.
• Durham-Chapel Hill — 6.6 percent, down from 6.8 percent.
• Fayetteville — 8.6 percent, down from 8.8 percent.
• Goldsboro — 7.9 percent, down from 8.1 percent.
• Greensboro-High Point — 9.7 percent, down from 9.9 percent.
• Greenville — 9.0 percent, down from 9.3 percent.
• Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton — 11.7 percent, down from 11.9 percent.
• Jacksonville — 7.3 percent, down from 7.5 percent
• Raleigh-Cary — 7.6 percent, down from 7.8 percent.
• Rocky Mount — 12.1 percent, no change.
• Wilmington — 9 percent, down from 9.1 percent.
• Winston-Salem — 8.7 percent, down from 8.9 percent.