Beaufort County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.2 percent in May to 4.8 percent in June, according to information compiled by the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

From May through June, unemployment rates increased in 97 of the state’s 100 counties and decreased in three counties. The state’s unemployment rate was at 4.2 percent in June, up from 3.7 percent in May, according to LEAD data.

Scotland County had the highest jobless rate in June at 8 percent. Buncombe County posted the lowest jobless rate in June at 3.2 percent.

“The state of NC’s economy is strong as we head into the second half of 2018.

Our job growth rate, over the year, has increased each of the past seven months after weakening somewhat in 2017. Unemployment continues to drop, with initial unemployment insurance claims just above the record low,” according to a statement included in the June employment-rate report issued by the department. “Manufacturing hours, at a 39-month high, symbolizes prosperity in this important sector. One of the few soft spots is in housing, where following the national trend, NC’s seasonally adjusted permits dropped for the 5th straight month. This is worth monitoring since it could impact future construction employment. However, nearly all other signs point to an equally strong end to 2018.”

Among the state’s 100 counties in June, 76 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 24 counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and no county had a jobless rate of 10 percent or higher.

All 15 of the state’s metropolitan areas experienced rate increases from May to June. Among those areas, Rocky Mount at 6.3 percent had the highest rate in June, with Asheville having the lowest rate at 3.4 percent.

For June, Beaufort County’s jobless rate was ranked 69^th in the state.

Beaufort County’s workforce in June totaled 20,131 people, with 19,165 of them on the job, leaving 966 people unable to secure employment. Beaufort County’s workforce in May totaled 20,023 people, with 19,182 of them on the job, leaving 841 people unable to secure employment.

Hyde County’s jobless rate decreased from 7 percent in May to 6.5 percent in June. In June 2017, its unemployment rate was at 6.5 percent.

From May through June, Martin County’s unemployment rate rose from 4.8 percent to 5.4 percent. In June 2017, its jobless rate was at 5.9 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 4.2 percent in May, rising to 4.p percent in June. In June 2017, its unemployment rate was at 5.2 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.5 percent in May to 5.9 percent in June. In June 2017, the county’s jobless rate was at 6.3 percent.

The Washington statistical area’s jobless rate in June was 4.8 percent, up from 4.2 percent in the previous month. The Greenville-Washington combined statistical area’s jobless rate for June was 4.9 percent, up from 4.2 percent in May.

Of the state’s 15 metropolitan statistical areas, five of the six MSAs east of Interstate 95 and the Fayetteville MSA had the highest unemployment rates in June, all above or at the state rate of 4.2 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for June was 4.2 percent. The Rocky Mount MSA was the highest at 6.3å percent for June.

The jobless figures released by the Commerce Department do not include unemployed people whose unemployment insurance benefits expired and who are not listed as unemployed. Factor in those people and a county’s true jobless rate is higher.