State unemployment drops slightly in October to 10.4 percent

Statewide unemployment was down slightly in October, but North Carolina’s unemployment rate is still higher than the national average.

According to the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, statewide unemployment dipped from 10.5 percent in September to 10.4 percent in October.

The national average also dipped slightly—from 9.1 percent unemployment in September to 9 percent in October.

Employment Security Commission officials say total nonfarm jobs increased by 5,500 jobs in October. Private sector jobs accounted for 700 of the total number of new jobs reported.

“The data reflects that private sector employment grew this month—as it has done in eight of the past 10 months—and that there was a modest decline in unemployment rate, but there is still a great deal of work ahead,” Employment Security Commission Director Lynn Holmes said.

In October, seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs increased by 5,500 jobs to more than 3.8 million jobs. The number of unemployed workers in North Carolina decreased by 8,273 workers to 466,568 workers who report being unemployed.

But year-over-year, more North Carolinians are out of work.

Since October 2010, the number of North Carolinians who report being unemployed has increased by 25,868 workers.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate in October 2010 was 9.9 percent.

During the past 12 months, North Carolina saw its lowest unemployment rates in March, April and May 2011 with a 9.7 rate. Unemployment in North Carolina reached a one-year high in September 2011 with 10.5 percent unemployment.

“None of us will be satisfied until every North Carolinian who wants a job has one,” Holmes said.

Employment Security Commission officials say they will release unemployment rates for individual counties on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Brunswick County reported a 10.6 percent unemployment rate during September.

The September rate was down slightly from August, which had a 10.8 percent unemployment rate, but was still above the September 2010 unemployment rate of 9.8 percent.

Brunswick County was also above the statewide unemployment rate of 10.5 percent and the nation’s 9.1 percent unemployment rate in September.