(July 23, 2010) -- The good news: Anson's unemployment rate dropped .1% in June -- to 13.4%. In the five-county area, Anson was the only county to experience a rate decrease.
     The bad news: Anson's jobless rate still ranks the county fourth in the state's "Top Ten" highest figures.
     The small decrease marked the fourth straight month in 2010 that Anson County's unemployment rate decline; and June marked the 21st consecutive month that Anson has registered a double-digit rate. Compared to June 2009 (when the jobless rate stood at 15.3%), Anson has seen a 1.9% decrease in the 12-month period. Anson's 2010 month-by-month rates have been 17.1% in January, 17.0% in February, 14.9% in March, 14.0% in April, 13.5% in May and 13.4% in June.
     Anson's June numbers show a workforce of 10,158 (compared to 10,234 in May); 8,795 employed (compared to 8,848 in May); and 1,363 unemployed (compared to 1,366 in May). (NOTE: May's figures have been adjusted since the June 26 Anson Biz-zine unemployment article.)
     The June breakdown for Anson's neighboring counties:

• Montgomery -- 10,688 labor force; 1,317 unemployed; a rate of 12.3% (up .2% from May)

• Richmond -- 20,298 labor force; 2,595 unemployed; a rate of 12.8% (up .1% from May)

• Stanly -- 30,630 labor force; 3,518 unemployed; a rate of 11.5% (unchanged from May)

• Union -- 93,891 labor force; 8,866 unemployed; a rate of 9.4% (unchanged from May)

     Anson's unemployment rate led the seven-county Centralina Region, too. The June Centralina Region breakdown:

• Anson -- 10,158 labor force; 1,363 unemployed; 13.4% unemployment rate (down .1% from May)

• Cabarrus -- 84,495 labor force; 9,142 unemployed; 10.8% unemployment rate (up.1% from May)

• Iredell -- 78,784 labor force; 9,114 unemployed; 11.6% unemployment rate (down .2% from May)

• Lincoln -- 37,403 labor force; 4,577 unemployed; 12.2% unemployment rate (unchanged from May)

• Rowan -- 71,473 labor force; 8,368 unemployed; 11.7% unemployment rate (down .2% from May)

• Stanly -- 30,630 labor force; 3,518 unemployed; a rate of 11.5% (unchanged from May)

• Union -- 93,891 labor force; 8,866 unemployed; a rate of 9.4% (unchanged from May)

• Centralina -- 406,834 labor force; 44,948 unemployed; 11.0% unemployment rate (down .1% from May)

     According to Centralina Worforce data for June, Anson had 197 initial unemployment insurance claims; 2,032 total weeks claimed; $387,123 unemployment insurance benefits paid out; and 478 individuals receiving checks. Statewide, unemployment insurance benefits paid out a total of $164,619,670 with 158,493 individuals receiving checks.
     North Carolina's unadjusted June jobless rate was 10.1% -- a .1% increase from May and a 1.0% decrease from May 2009. The state had a June labor force of 4,545,448 with 457,341 unemployed.
     Scotland County led the state with the highest unemployment rate -- 16.0% -- followed by Edgecombe (15.0%), Rutherford (14.7%), Anson and Caldwell (13.4%), Cherokee (13.2%), Alexander and Cleveland (13.1%), Catawba (12.9%), and Burke and Richmond (12.8%). Currituck County had the lowest jobless rate -- 4.8% -- followed by Hyde (6.3%), Orange (6.5%), Chatham and Dare (6.9%), Camden (7.1%), Carteret (7.4%), Watauga (7.5%), and Durham and Gates 7.6%).
     Statewide, the June rates show a decrease in 35 counties, an increase in 45 counties and an unchanged rate in 20 counties.
     "The June county data show that for many of the counties in the state, the unemployment rate has shown some level of improvement," said Lynn Holmes, Employment Security Commission chairman. "Unfortunately, there are still many counties where the rate of unemployment remains high.
     "As always, our agency will respond to our customers who seek assistance in employment services and unemployment benefits," Holmes continued. "We also continue to serve North Carolina businesses that use our resources to recruit workers."
    & nbsp;The number of workers employed across the state (non-seasonally adjusted) decreased in June by 10,479 -- to 4,088,107. The number of people unemployed increased by 1,822 -- to 457,341.
     The civilian labor force estimates for all 100 counties are available on the Employment Security Commission's website at www.ncesc.com. For local information, call the ESC office at 704.694.6551 or visit www.ansonjoblink.com.

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