North Carolina Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for North Carolina rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 3.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in North Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 14.2% and is now 10.7 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.3% in March 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see North Carolina unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.1	+0.1
North Carolina	3.5%	+0.1	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: North Carolina, National

North Carolina monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to November 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

North Carolina Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in North Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 656,620. There are now 474,406 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 171,393 in July 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 10,821. North Carolina job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
North Carolina	182,214	+2,816	-17,642

Number of Unemployed Persons