N.C. jobless rate falls to 4.8 percent
RALEIGH - Unemployment in the state fell last month for the first time since February, according to figures released Friday by the Employment Security Commission.
The unemployment rate here hit 4.8 percent in August, down from 5 percent in July and at its lowest level since March. But the state rate continues to outpace national numbers; the U.S. jobless rate was 4.6 percent last month.
About 215,700 people filed for unemployment in the state last month, according to seasonally adjusted figures. Overall employment was nearly 4.3 million - down by about 3,500 workers, although employment in North Carolna has grown during the past 12 months.
The commission will release a county-by-county breakdown of jobless rates next week.
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