Beaufort County’s unemployment rate decreased from August through September, as did jobless rates in 98 other counties, according to the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Beaufort County’s jobless rate fell from 5 percent in August to 4.4 percent in September, according to LEAD data. Dare County’s unemployment rate did not change from August through September, staying at 3.7 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.5 percent in August to 4 percent in September.

Among the state’s 100 counties in September, 81 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 19counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and no county had a jobless rate of 10 percent or higher. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rates in September at 6.9 percent, according to LEAD data. Buncombe County had the lowest jobless rate in September at 3.1 percent.

“North Carolina’s economy continued to chug along in September — not quite humming, but moving forward nonetheless. Last month, this publication called out the slowdown in job growth that has taken hold over the past year. Slow growth is continuing, but not everywhere in our economy. Preliminary estimates show employment in NC’s Good-Producing industries (Const. & Mfg.) lower over the past three months than during the same periods in 2016. Will these numbers hold up after future data revisions? Are we seeing the start of a trend? If so, what does this mean for the rest of NC’s economy? Stay tuned,” according to a statement released by the state’s Commerce Department.

All 15 of the state’s metropolitan areas experienced a jobless-rate decrease from August through September, according to LEAD data.

For September, Beaufort County’s workforce totaled 20,134 people, with 890 of them unemployed, according to LEAD figures. That meant 19,244 members of the workforce were on the job and getting paid. For August, Beaufort County’s workforce was at 20,128 people. Of that number, 19,142 people were on the job, leaving 986 without employment.

Hyde County’s jobless rate decreased from 5.6 percent in August to 5.2 percent in September. In September 2016, its unemployment rate was at 6.4 percent.

From August to September, Martin County’s unemployment rate fell from at 5.4 percent to 4.9 percent. In September 2016, its jobless rate was at 6.3 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 5.1 percent in August, falling to 4.4 percent in September. In September 2016, its unemployment rate was at 5.2 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.9 percent in August to 5.7 percent in September. In September 2016, the county’s jobless rate was at 6.8 percent.

The Washington statistical area’s jobless rate in August was 5 percent, dropping to 4.4 percent in September. The Greenville-Washington combined statistical area’s jobless rate for September was 4.4 percent, down from 5 percent in August.

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 September, all above or at the state rate of 4 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for September was 3.6 percent. The Rocky Mount MSA had the highest jobless rate in the state at 5.8 percent for September.

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.