They rise in 58, fall in 19 other N.C. counties in February

From staff reports

DURHAM -- Unemployment rates remained the same in Durham County, Orange County and Wake County, but increased in 58 other counties in North Carolina in February.

Rates declined in 19 counties and remained the same in 23, according to new figures released today by the Employment Security Commission.

"The February data demonstrate the uncertain nature of the current economic conditions," said ESC Chairman Lynn Holmes. "Some areas experienced industry employment gains, but overall we continue to face challenges on the road to recovery. But, our agency is committed to continuing to provide needed services for thousands across our state."

Over the past year, the ESC has paid out $5.2 billion in state and federal unemployment insurance benefits across 100 counties.

The Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area posted an unemployment rate of 9.4 percent, up slightly from January's 9.3 percent.

The four-county Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Statistical Area also showed no change in February, staying at 8.4 percent. The Raleigh-Cary MSA increased slightly, up to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent.

The Durham-Chapel Hill metro had a gain of 1,600 jobs in February, with the bulk of the increase coming from the government sector. Over the past year, however, the area lost 3,400 jobs.

The area is composed of Durham, Orange, Person and Chatham counties.

Person County's unemployment rate declined slightly from 12.8 percent in January to 12.7 percent in February. Chatham County showed no change.

The state's adjusted unemployment rate for February was 11.8 percent.

Orange County had the state's lowest unemployment rate in February, at 6.9 percent. Graham County had the highest unemployment rate, at 19.4 percent.