Jobless rate falls in March

Unemployment rates across North Carolina dropped in 86 counties during March, including Caldwell.

According to data released by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission Friday, Caldwell's rate for the month dropped by half a percentage point compared to February's figure.

Caldwell's rate for the month stood at 6.4 percent, its lowest since September 2007 when it was at 6.2 percent, and was lower than the 6.8 posted at the same time a year ago.

The rate reduction was aided by a slight dip in the county's work force of 54 workers but an increase of 117 people employed during the month.

Among counties in the Unifour, Burke had the highest rate for a third straight month at 7.2 percent. Catawba County saw its rate edge downward slightly to 6.1, and Alexander dipped to 5.6.

Statewide, seven counties saw an increase, and seven held steady for the month. Two-thirds of the state had unemployment rates between 5 and 10 percent, and none of them reached double figures.

“This is a welcome change for state workers following two months that saw unemployment rate increases,” said NCESC Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. “As we enter the tourism season in North Carolina, we hope to see these decreases continue, but uncertainty remains amid factors outside our control, such as increasing gas prices.”

Orange County had the lowest unemployment rate during March at 3.4 percent, followed by Wake and Watauga (3.8 percent) and Polk (3.9 percent).

Scotland had the highest rate at 9.6 percent, followed by Graham and Hyde (9.3 percent).

Ashe, Dare, Hyde and Swain counties all saw their rates fall by a percentage point or more compared to February's figures.

While the individual county rates took a downward trend, the overall statewide rate went up.

For the third straight month, North Carolina's unemployment figure was on the rise. After checking in at 4.7 percent in December, the rate has risen each of the last three months, topping out at 5.2 percent in March.

That rate continued to be higher than the national average of 5.1 percent and has been the last two months that unemployment data has been posted.

“While this is not the news we would like, the state is still faring better, overall, than most other states,” Payne said. “Our state has a top-ranked business climate, and recent job creation announcements demonstrate the continued strength of North Carolina's economy.”

Statewide employment dipped slightly to 4,306,624 employees in March. The state's unemployment has increased by more than 32,000 people since March 2007 when the unemployment rate for North Carolina stood at 4.5 percent.

The labor force has increased by more than 28,000 since this time last year and increased by almost 7,600 people during the month.

Claims for unemployment insurance in March saw a decline of 1,855 from February, and a total of $91,396,131 in benefits was paid out during the month. Mecklenburg received the highest amount of benefits at $10.1 million, followed by Wake ($6.5 million) and Guilford ($4.8 million).

In the last 12 months, the Employment Security Commission has paid out more than $945 million in benefits.