Charlotte-area jobless rate falls to 5.1 percent in November

The Charlotte-area unemployment rate fell slightly in November from the month before as employers continued to add jobs, a sign the local economy continues to strengthen.

The area’s jobless rate fell to 5.1 percent in November from 5.2 percent in October, according to a report Wednesday from the N.C. Commerce Department.

The Charlotte metro region added 4,400 nonfarm jobs over the month, led by the biggest gains in trade, transportation and utilities, which grew by 3,900, according to the report. Leisure and hospitality shrank by 2,900.

Economists often advise against reading too much into one month’s worth of data and point instead to year-ago figures.

The Charlotte region, which includes Gastonia and Concord, over the year has added 35,500 jobs, more than any other metro in the state. Charlotte-area employment has risen by 3.3 percent over the year, faster than the 1.9 percent national rate of job growth.

The Commerce Department reported earlier this month that the North Carolina unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in November, unchanged from the prior month. The national unemployment rate was 5 percent in November, the U.S. Labor Department reported earlier this month.

Across the state, unemployment rates rose in 38 counties in November, fell in 37 and remained unchanged in 25, the Commerce Department said. In Mecklenburg County, the jobless rate was 5.1 percent in November, unchanged from October.

Here are the rates in area counties:

▪ Cabarrus County’s rate fell to 4.9 percent in November from 5 percent in October.

▪ Gaston County’s rate fell to 5.6 percent from 5.7 percent.

▪ Iredell County’s rate was flat at 5.1 percent.

▪ Lincoln County’s rate was flat at 5.1 percent.

▪ Union County’s rate fell to 4.5 percent from 4.6 percent.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Charlotte-area jobless rate falls to 5.1 percent in November."