By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Beaufort County’s unemployment rate declined slightly from June to July, falling from 10.8 percent in June to 10.6 percent in July, according to figures released Friday by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
Unemployment rates decreased in 86 of the state’s 100 counties from June to July, according to ESC data. For July, the state’s jobless rate was 9.9 percent, down from 10.2 percent in June.
In July, for the first time in since July 2009, North Carolina’s unemployment rate fell under 10 percent.
“Things are the same as they’ve always been,” said Patrick Oswalt, supervisor of the ESC’s office in Washington, when asked for his view on the local unemployment-rate situation. “Nothing’s changed either way — nothing positive, nothing negative.”
Other than a tenth or two tenths of a percentage point either way, Beaufort County’s jobless rate has been about 10.6 percent for the past several months, Oswalt noted.
“That’s my guess,” he responded when asked if he expects that trend to continue the rest of this year.
Beaufort County’s unemployment rate has been at least 10 percent each month since January 2009. From February to May, Beaufort County’s unemployment rate declined each month from a high of 12.3 percent in January.
For July, Beaufort County’s work force was at 20,887 people. Of that number, 18,683 were on the job. That left 2,204 people unable to secure employment.
In June, Beaufort County’s work force totaled 21,094 people, with 18,838 of those people on the job. That left 2,256 people unable to find employment, according to ESC figures.
As of Thursday, unemployed Beaufort County residents had received $1,141,044 in unemployment-insurance benefits during the past 30 days, according to ESC data. From Jan. 1 to Thursday, Beaufort County residents have received $10,735,572 in unemployment-insurance benefits.
“Unemployment rates dropped in the majority of the state’s 100 counties in July,” said ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes. “However, over half of our counties had unemployment rates over 10 percent. Local communities continue to be challenged by the current economic conditions. Our staff across the state continues to provide assistance to those seeking unemployment benefits and those seeking employment opportunities.”
Hyde County’s jobless rate for July was 6 percent. In June, Hyde County ’s jobless rate was at 6.4 percent in June.
The unemployment rate for Martin County in July was 10.2 percent. Martin County’s jobless rate was at 10.5 percent in June.
In Washington County, the July jobless rate was 11.2 percent. Washington County’s jobless rate was at 11.3 percent in June.
In July, one county had a jobless rate at or below 5 percent, 45 counties had unemployment rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and 54 counties had jobless rates at or above 10 percent, according to ESC figures.
Scotland County had the highest jobless rate in July at 16.2 percent. Currituck County had the lowest jobless rate in July at 4.5 percent.