Ho ho holy crap: State jobless rate nears 8 percent

Posted on by Hal L. Millard

This time a year ago, the state’s unemployment rate stood at 4.7 percent. What a difference a year makes.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased to 7.9 percent in November from 7.1 percent the previous month, according to the latest statistics from the N.C. Employment Security Commission. It is the highest rate since October 1983.

Meantime, the U.S. jobless rate in November stood at 6.7 percent.

“Global and national economic challenges have had an impact on North Carolina,” said ESC Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. “Many employers are faced with layoffs or cutting back hours. Several job areas, including manufacturing and professional and business services, have been affected by the national business climate. During the last year, employment in those sectors alone is down by 57,600.”

In the state, seasonally adjusted employment decreased by 58,621 workers to 4,206,363 in November. Unemployment increased by 35,828 workers, to 359,319. The number of workers who were unemployed, but actively seeking work, is at an all-time high at 359,319. Since this time last year, unemployment has increased by 145,631 people. The labor force, over the year, has increased by 33,332 people. Employment is down by 112,299 workers since November 2007.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 6, when the county and metro area unemployment rates for the month of November will be released.

— Hal L. Millard, staff writer

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2 thoughts on “Ho ho holy crap: State jobless rate nears 8 percent”

  1. travelah

    Not to worry, the Obama is going to create 3 million new jobs so this is only a lot of noise.

  2. Piffy!

    not to worry, the pseudo-cons will try and blame the economy all on Obama in a few years, unless it improves, in which case: God Bless GW!

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