Beaufort County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.7 percent in June to 5.6 percent in July, according to information compiled by the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

In July 2015, the county’s jobless rate was at 7.1 percent, according to LEAD figures.

During July, unemployment rates decreased in 90 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, according to LEAD figures. Jobless rates increased in two counties and were unchanged in eight counties during July. The state’s unemployment rate fell from 5.1 percent in June to 5 percent in July.

“July marked a minor statistical milestone for North Carolina’s economy – the state unemployment rate dipped below the U.S. (rate) for the first time in nearly two years,” reads an emailed statement from the N.C. Commerce Department. “However, the number of employed people declined as well. We’ve seen a high degree of volatility in this data in 2016. Since the beginning of the year, the labor force participation rate has had the two greatest monthly increases and decreases of the past five years; and has now settled back to its January level. Remember that monthly estimates can sometimes be noisy and distort the bigger picture. The broader trend still points to a tightening labor market.”

Beaufort County’s workforce totaled 20,286 people in July, with 19,152 with jobs drawing paychecks, leaving 1,134 without employment. In June, Beaufort County’s workforce totaled 20,174 people, with 19,007 people bringing home paychecks, with 1,167 people unable to secure employment.

Among the state’s 100 counties in July, 48 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 52 counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and no counties had jobless rates of 10 percent or higher. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate in July at 9 percent, according to LEAD data. Buncombe County had the lowest jobless rate in July at 3.8 percent.

Hyde County’s jobless rate fell from 7 percent in June to 6.3 percent in July. In July 2015, its unemployment rate was at 6.8 percent.

From June to July Martin County’s unemployment rate increased from 7 percent in June to 7.1 percent in July. In July 2015, its jobless rate was at 9 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 5.7 percent in July, down from 5.9 percent in the previous month. In May 2015, its unemployment rate was at 7 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.2 percent in June to 6.8 percent in July. In July 2015, the county’s jobless rate was at 8.8 percent.

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 July, all above or at the state rate of 5 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for July was 4.6 percent.

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.