Unemployment dips slightly in Raleigh-Cary, Durham metro areas

Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment in the Raleigh-Cary and Durham metropolitan areas dipped slightly in August, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the job picture is improving in a tightening economy.

With more teachers returning to school and more students ages 16-19 heading back to class and out of the job market, the Raleigh-Cary and Durham jobless rates dipped to an identical 5.4 percent. That’s the lowest rate among the state’s 14 metropolitan statistical areas.

Rocky Mount, meanwhile, has by far the state’s worst rate at 9.9 percent. That is a 0.3 percent jump from July. Closest to Rocky Mount is Greenville at 7.5 percent.

Durham’s drop was 0.3 percent from a 5.7 rate in July. The Raleigh-Cary rate stood at 5.5 percent then.

The state Employment Security Commission noted the county-by-county and metro area rates are not seasonably adjusted to account for changes such as teachers and students in-and-out of the work force. Statewide, the North Carolina jobless rate that is adjusted for seasonal changes is at a six-year high of 6.9 percent.

The dip in the Raleigh and Durham markets reflect the Triangle area’s economic strength, according to ESC spokesperson Larry Parker.

“Raleigh-Durham and Cary seem to be weathering the storm better than other areas,” Parker said. “Employers are still hiring. Are we where we were two years ago? No.”

Wake County’s rate dipped to 5.1 percent, down 0.1 percent. Durham’s jobless rate hit 5.5 percent, down from 5.6.

However, Orange County’s rate, which is regularly among the state’s lowest, dropped substantially to 4.5 percent from 5.1 percent in July.

The Triangle has been described by some economists as “recession proof,” and the region’s employment figures are still much higher than in recent years. The area’s high-tech and life science sectors have for the most part avoided mass layoffs, and the state government sector in the capital remains strong even though Gov. Mike Easley told state agencies this week to prepare 2 percent budget cuts.

Rocky Mount isn’t the only city area to take a hit. The Charlotte metro region’s jobless rate climbed to 7.1 percent from 6.9 percent as the turmoil in financial markets continues to impact the city’s banking and mortgage operations.

“Metro areas are not bulletproof,” Parker said.

The counties surrounding Rocky Mount reported even worse rates – Edgecombe at 11.5 percent, Halifax at 10.1 percent and Nash at 9 percent.

In talking with regional ESC offices, Parker said managers are reporting “job orders” in the triangle area. However, job demand has fallen by several hundred in Rocky Mount.

The announced layoffs of more than 1,400 workers by Hanesbrand earlier this week also will impact the state’s jobless rate, Parker noted. “No doubt, Hanesbrand will be a huge blow in those regions,” he said. However, he noted the layoffs are to be spread out over several months.

Eight of the state’s 14 metro areas reported drops in unemployment:

• Asheville — 5.5 percent, no change from July.
• Burlington — 7.4 percent, up from 7.3 percent.
• Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord NC-SC — 7.1 percent, up from 6.9 percent.
• Durham — 5.4 percent, down from 5.7 percent.
• Fayetteville — 7.0 percent, down from 7.2 percent.
• Goldsboro — 6.7 percent, down from 6.9 percent.
• Greensboro-High Point — 7.1 percent, down from 7.3 percent.
• Greenville — 7.5 percent, down from 7.8 percent.
• Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton — 8.4 percent, down from 8.7 percent.
• Jacksonville — 5.9 percent, down from 6.6 percent.
• Raleigh-Cary — 5.4 percent, down from 5.5 percent.
• Rocky Mount — 9.9 percent, up from 9.6 percent.
• Wilmington — 6.1 percent, no change.
• Winston-Salem — 6.6 percent, no change.

County-by-county rates in the WRAL Channel 5 viewing area:

• Alamance, 7.4 percent
• Chatham, 5.6 percent
• Cumberland, 7.1 percent
• Durham, 5.5 percent
• Edgecombe, 11.5 percent
• Franklin, 6.9 percent
• Granville, 7.2 percent
• Halifax, 10.1 percent
• Hoke, 6.3 percent
• Johnston, 6.3 percent
• Lee, 7.7 percent
• Moore, 6.5 percent
• Orange, 4.5 percent
• Sampson, 5.5 percent
• Vance, 10.3 percent
• Wake, 5.1 percent
• Warren, 9.4 percent
• Wayne, 6.7 percent
• Wilson, 8.8 percent