Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — Iredell County’s unemployment rate dipped slightly to 3.3 percent in March.

According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, there are 3,219 unemployed individuals in Iredell. The county has a workforce of 96,342.

The county’s unemployment rate in February was 3.4 percent.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 61 of North Carolina’s counties in March, increased in 12, and remained unchanged in 27. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. Eight of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, two increased, and five remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.2 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent.

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 49 counties, decreased in 30, and remained unchanged in 21. Eleven of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases over the year and four remained unchanged

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in March by 63,142 to 5,042,647, while those unemployed increased by 41 to 185,569. Since March 2022, the number of workers employed statewide increased 47,119, while those unemployed increased 7,055.

It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.