NC jobless rate worsens to 9.6 percent in July

The unemployment picture in North Carolina worsened in July with the jobless rate increasing to 9.6 percent after being stuck at 9.4 percent for the previous three months.

The July rate is the highest since 9.7 percent in March. It is down from 10.7 percent a year ago.

Data from the Labor and Economic Analysis Division at the North Carolina Department of Commerce released Friday reported that seasonally adjusted non-farm employment did grow by 1,800 jobs to 3.96 million. The biggest amount of hiring came in the leisure and hospitality services sector, which added 5,900 jobs.

"In July, the private sector gained 16,000 jobs," said Dale Carroll, deputy secretary at the Department of Commerce.

However, the number of people unemployed grew by just more than 5,000 at 444,694 from June.

The state lost 14,000 government jobs in June, but many of those are temporary given that school districts reduce jobs in summer months.