State jobless rate declines very slightly in September

The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C.
·2 min read

Oct. 24—LUMBERTON — North Carolina's seasonally adjusted September 2023 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, an increase of 0.1 of a percentage point from August's revised rate, according to data released this weeek. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent. Robeson County's rate is expected to be released mid-next week

North Carolina's unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 14,985 over the month to 5,087,812 and increased 124,714 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 3,119 over the month to 176,650 and decreased 26,072 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 10,100 to 4,948,400 in September.

Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 4,900; Professional & Business Services, 3,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,400; Information, 1,500; Government, 600; and Mining & Logging, 100.

Major industries experiencing decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,600; Financial Activities, 1,100; Manufacturing, 900; Construction, 400; and Other Services, 100.

Since September 2022, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 105,000 with the Total Private sector increasing by 87,800 and Government increasing by 17,200. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 31,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 27,900; Government, 17,200; Professional & Business Services, 14,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 11,700; Other Services, 4,300; Information, 2,300; Financial Activities, 200; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Construction, 2,300; and Manufacturing, 1,700.

While county level data is expected to be released on next week, statewide industry performance provides a glimpse on what the jobless condition might look like in Robeson County.

Both Education and Health Services job sectors — identified statewide as industries experiencing increases — play a significant role in the local economy; combined they employ about 31% of Robeson County's labor force.

Likewise, major industries experiencing decreases statewide included Manufacturing jobs and Construction jobs, which combined make up 21% of the jobs in Robeson County, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.