Beaufort County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.7 percent in April to 4.9 percent in May, according to information compiled by the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

In May, 67 of the state’s 100 counties experienced increases in their unemployment rates, and 13 counties’ jobless rate decreased, according to LEAD figures. Twenty counties had jobless rates at the same level in April and May. The state’s unemployment rate increased from 4.2 percent in April to 4.3 percent in May.

“The North Carolina smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in May, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from the previous month and falling 0.5 of a percentage point from May 2016. Over the month, the number of persons unemployed fell by 11,546 (4.9%). The civilian labor force decreased by 16,811 (0.3%) to 4,928,477,” according to a Commerce Department document.

“Preliminary jobs figures for NC in May are very positive — the largest monthly increase in over two years. However, as we preach in LEAD, be careful about putting stock in preliminary estimates and one month does not make a trend. Including two rough months for jobs earlier in the year, NC has created over 15,000 net new jobs in 2017 – much lower than the 40,000 jobs generated through the first five months of each year since 2014. Does this mean job creation will continue to slow? Or are May’s estimates the start of a solid rebound? Stay tuned,” according to a LEAD statement.

Among the state’s 100 counties in May, 72 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 28 counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and no county had a jobless rate of 10 percent or higher. Edgecombe and Scotland counties had the highest unemployment rates in April at 7.8 percent, according to LEAD data. Buncombe County had the lowest jobless rate in May at 3.3 percent.

Thirteen of the state’s 15 metropolitan areas experienced rate decreases from April to May, with two unchanged.

For May, Beaufort County’s workforce was at 20,231 people. Of that number, 19,243 people were on the job, leaving 988 without employment. In April, Beaufort County’s workforce included 20,351 people, with 965 of them without work, according to LEAD figures. That meant 19,386 people were on the job and earning paychecks.

Hyde County’s jobless rate decreased from 8.7 percent in April to 7.5 percent in May. In May 2016, its unemployment rate was at 7.4 percent.

From April to May, Martin County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 percent to 5.5 percent. In May2016, its jobless rate was at 5.9 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 4.6 percent in April, rising to 4.9 percent in May. In May 2016, its unemployment rate was at 5.3 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.6 percent in April to 6.4 percent in May. In May 2016, the county’s jobless rate was at 6.7 percent.

The Washington statistical area’s jobless rate in May was 4.9 percent, up from 4.7 percent from the previous month. The Greenville-Washington combined statistical area’s jobless rate for May was 4.9 percent, up from 4.6 percent in April.

Of the state’s 15 metropolitan statistical areas, six of the five MSAs east of Interstate 95 and the Fayetteville MSA had the highest unemployment rates in April, all above or at the state rate of 4.3 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for May was 4 percent. The Rocky Mount MSA was the highest in the state at 6.8 percent for May.

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.