The state's unemployment rate dropped for the fourth consecutive month in June to its lowest rate in more than a year.
In June, the state unemployment rate was 10.0 percent, down from 10.4 percent in May. Since February the rate has continually dropped from a 12-month high of 11.2 percent.
The news is obviously positive, said ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes. “Since February, North Carolina has added over 45,000 jobs, but we still have a long way to go. Through our offices statewide, we continue to provide services necessary to those customers searching for work and those who are eligible for benefits.”
In June, the number of unemployed workers in the state decreased by 20,468 workers, to 454,155. Since this time a year ago, that number has decreased by 43,803 people.
Retail reporter Sue Stock came to the N&O in 2004 and has been covering retail and shopping in the Triangle since then. She is the author of the popular
Comments
True Unemployment Statistic is.. over 18% Nationwide
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 22:51 — mike27513The true unemployment is the US Bureau of Unemployment/Underemployment statistic called U6 , which includes people who have stopped looking, lost unemployment benefits and only can get part time work but want full time work.
Currently for the US it is over 18% from the WSJ and BLS
NC , I would guess has a higher U6 statistic, but it would be good if the N&O would actually do some reporting and give the NC U6 Underemployment stats. But that's too much like real work I guess.
Hope everyone is enjoying the Obama "Recovery Summer" !
Great news, the rate has
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 18:15 — Notsurewhere_NCGreat news, the rate has dropped from double digits to double digits. Yes, ObiStimuli is working. Praise the Chairman ya'll
Sustained unemployment at
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 17:11 — fournaughtSustained unemployment at this level is a real crisis, yet the federal government is sitting on its hands instead of creating jobs. There's a lot that could be done even if the focus is only on infrastructure -- water systems could be upgraded, sidewalks built, bridges repaired -- there are a lot of ways that jobs could be created, but the GOP and conservative Dems seem pefectly happy letting the unemployed suffer as they block any efforts to address this catastrophe.
NC Unemployment Numbers Skewed
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 16:48 — creaumeI am writing in response to the “NC unemployment drops to 10 percent” article. The unemployment numbers reported by the News and Observer and the Employment Security Commission are ambiguous and incomprehensibly skewed. Reporting erroneous statistics influences the states (unemployed residents) ability to receive emergency unemployment funds. Please allow me to tell you what the unemployment numbers do not include. The 10% does not include individuals who are no longer eligible to file and have exhausted their benefits, the 10% does not include people who are self-employed and do not qualify for unemployment even though their business is bankrupt due to the demise of the economy or business has decreased drastically. The numbers do not include individuals who worked part-time and are not eligible for unemployment. The government statistics are nothing more than propaganda. Basically, the US Government will report numbers that creates a positive perspective concerning the economy on an otherwise ominous reality. I implore the News and Observer reporters to research and report the truth concerning the unemployed residents of North Carolina.
C. Reaume
The number dropped
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 13:42 — PowderedToastManThe number dropped because a lot of people started losing their unemployment benefits they were on them for so long.
I shouldn't have to ask this question, but
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 11:52 — PlatowasrightI shouldn't have to ask this question, but are these seasonably adjusted or just raw numbers. It makes an immense difference as employment usually rises in the summer due to temporary employment. While that is good in itself, it may or may not be indicative of an overall improvement in permanent employment prospects or of a recovery.