North Carolina Unemployment Rate 3.6 for 

North Carolina Unemployment Rate came in at 3.6 (Percent) for Jul 2026, unchanged from 3.6 the prior month and 7.69% below its level of 3.9 one year ago. The series has averaged 5.59 since 1976, reaching a record high of 14.2 in April 2020 and a record low of 3.2 in May 1999.

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), St. Louis Fed

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Cite this data: "North Carolina Unemployment Rate," MarketXLS. Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), St. Louis Fed. marketxls.com/indicators/north-carolina-unemployment-rate

Historical Data

July 1, 20263.6
June 1, 20263.6
May 1, 20263.7
April 1, 20263.7
March 1, 20263.7
February 1, 20263.8
January 1, 20263.8
December 1, 20253.8
November 1, 20253.8
September 1, 20253.9
August 1, 20253.9
July 1, 20253.9
June 1, 20253.8
May 1, 20253.8
April 1, 20253.8
March 1, 20253.8
February 1, 20253.8
January 1, 20253.8
December 1, 20243.8
November 1, 20243.7
March 1, 20014.8
February 1, 20014.6
January 1, 20014.4
December 1, 20004.2
November 1, 20004.1
October 1, 20004
September 1, 20004
August 1, 20003.9
July 1, 20003.8
June 1, 20003.7
May 1, 20003.6
April 1, 20003.5
March 1, 20003.4
February 1, 20003.4
January 1, 20003.4
December 1, 19993.4
November 1, 19993.4
October 1, 19993.4
September 1, 19993.4
August 1, 19993.4

About North Carolina Unemployment Rate

What it measures

North Carolina's unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted and updated monthly, comes from the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program and is available on FRED as NCUR. The state pairs a major banking center in Charlotte with the Research Triangle's technology, pharmaceutical, and university employment, layered over a legacy manufacturing and agricultural base.

Why it matters

The series blends two important signals: financial services hiring in Charlotte, home to some of the largest US banks, and knowledge-economy demand around Raleigh-Durham. Strong in-migration means the labor force grows steadily, so the unemployment rate reveals whether job creation in these growth clusters is keeping up with new arrivals.

How to read it

Track the rate against the national unemployment rate and against its own trend. Because banking and tech dominate the growth centers, deterioration there often precedes weakness elsewhere in the state. Rural manufacturing counties can run persistently higher, so statewide moves reflect a mix; direction sustained over several months is the key signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current North Carolina Unemployment Rate?

North Carolina Unemployment Rate is 3.6 (Percent) as of July 2026.

What is the all-time high and low of North Carolina Unemployment Rate?

The highest value on record is 14.2 (April 2020) and the lowest is 3.2 (May 1999).

How often is North Carolina Unemployment Rate updated?

North Carolina Unemployment Rate is published on a monthly basis, sourced from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).

Basic info
Unemployment Rate in North Carolina
RegionUnited States
FrequencyMonthly
Last updatedAugust 26, 2026
Seasonal adjustmentSeasonally Adjusted
UnitPercent

Stats
Last Value3.6
Latest PeriodJul 2026
Last UpdatedAugust 26 2026, 04:13
Value Previous Month3.6
Change From Previous Month0.00%
Value 1 Year Ago3.9
Change From Year Ago-7.69%
Average Growth Rate-1.16%/yr
Record High (Apr 2020)14.2
Record Low (May 1999)3.2
Long-Term Average5.59
FrequencyMonthly
AdjustmentSeasonally Adjusted
UnitPercent

Annual Averages
20263.7
20253.83
20243.64
20233.47
20223.68
20214.84
20207.32
20193.88
20184.01
20174.55
20165.1
20155.66

Related Indicators
Nonfarm Payrolls
All Employees, Total Private
All Employees, Goods-Producing
All Employees, Service-Providing
All Employees, Government
Unemployment Rate
Initial Jobless Claims
Average Weeks Unemployed
Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
Hires: Total Nonfarm
Total Separations: Total Nonfarm
Quits: Total Nonfarm