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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Unemployment Drops Again in NC, but Parts of the Southeastern Region are Still Struggling

NC Dept. of Commerce
Unemployment Rates, County by County, February 2014

Unemployment is down across most of North Carolina.  That’s according to the latest analysis from the Department of Commerce.  

While the statewide rate has dropped almost half a point and now sits at 6.6%, most counties in southeastern North Carolina are still above that statewide unemployment rate.   New Hanover and Onslow Counties are the exception with a rate equal to the state's 6.6%.

Robeson County ranks 91st out of the state’s one hundred counties – with a jobless rate that is down compared to last month and last year – but that still hovers at more than 9 and a half percent. 

Brunswick and Columbus Counties are also struggling – also down compared to the last period – but still ranking in the worst third statewide. 

New Hanover and Onslow Counties rank in the top third for lowest unemployment rates in the state.  Pender County falls down the list at number 59 with a jobless rate of more than seven and a half percent. 

While manufacturing has seen a slight drop in jobs, the sector responsible for the biggest job boost in the Wilmington metropolitan area is leisure and hospitality.  

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.