Rutherford County Unemployment Rate Edges Down in July

Rutherford County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly in July, falling to 5.0 percent from 5.1 percent in June, according to the latest report from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The rate, however, remains 0.2 percent higher than in July 2024, when it stood at 4.8 percent.

Statewide, North Carolina’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in July, down from an even 4.0 percent in June. Overall, rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 75 counties, increased in 11, and remained unchanged in 14.

Among metro areas, 14 reported decreases and one remained unchanged. Rocky Mount had the highest metro unemployment rate at 5.3 percent, while Raleigh posted the lowest at 3.2 percent.

At the county level, Edgecombe County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 5.8 percent, while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent.

Compared with July 2024, unemployment rates fell in 89 counties, rose in seven—including Rutherford—and held steady in four. Over the year, the number of people employed statewide increased by 10,561, while those unemployed decreased by 14,366.

The Commerce Department noted that monthly estimates are influenced by seasonal patterns and advised that year-over-year changes provide the clearest picture of economic trends.