N.C. unemployment rate increases

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2020, file photo, a passerby walks past a business storefront with store closing signs. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

RALEIGH – The N.C. Dept. of Commerce reported this week that the state’s unemployment rate increased nearly a full percentage point to 7.3% in the month of September.

That represents an increase of 0.8% from the August rate. Nationally, the rate decreased by half a point to 7.9%.

N.C.’s September 2020 unemployment rate increased 3.6% from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 38,683 over the month to 4,558,033 and decreased 352,111 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 44,278 over the month to 356,952 and increased 166,666 over the year.