Special to IFN

RALEIGH — Iredell County’s unemployment rate increased to 3.4 percent in May, jumping from 3.1 percent in April, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Iredell County has a workforce of 103,716 individuals. A total of 3,501 residents are currently classified as unemployed.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 counties across North Carolina in May, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in three.

Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.9 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one decreased. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.9 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.1 percent.

The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 80 counties, decreased in nine, and remained unchanged in 11. Thirteen metro areas experienced rate increases over the year and two remained unchanged.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in May by 24,009 to 5,084,132, while those unemployed increased by 12,032 to 192,431. Since May 2024, the number of workers employed statewide decreased 36,949, while those unemployed increased 10,459.