LUMBERTON — Robeson County’s unemployment rate jumped almost a full percentage point from May to June, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, which released its monthly job figures last week.

But Robeson County wasn’t alone in its increase in unemployment.

“Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in June 2024 and remained unchanged in two,” according to a report released last week. Scotland County, Robeson County’s closest neighbor to the west, had the highest unemployment rate at 7% while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2%. “All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases,” the report states. “Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.5% while Asheville had the lowest at 3.3%.”

The Fayetteville metro area, closest to Robeson County, recorded an unemployment rate of 5.4% up from 4.6% in May. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1%.

Around the region:

Bladen County was 4.8% in June, up from 4.3% in May

Columbus County was 4.9% in June, up from 4.3% in May

Cumberland County was 5.4% in June, up from 4.7% in May.

Hoke County was 5.1% in June, up from 4.5% in May.

Pender County was 3.7% in June, up from 3.2% in May

Sampson County was 4.2% in June, up from 3.5% in May

Scotland County was 7% in June, up from 6% in May.

And, the U.S. Unemployment rate was 4.1% in June, up from 3.9% in May.

Statewide, when compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 97 counties and decreased in three. All 15 metro areas experienced rate increases over the year.

Robeson County’s year over year unemployment rate saw less than a percentage point increase — from 5.1% in June 2023 to 5.8% in 2024.

Robeson County’s labor pool also increased during the last month to 48,148, up from May’s 47,247 available workers.

According to state officials, it is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.