Skip to Main Content
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
< !--cell-- > < !--end grid-x-->

North Carolina

aerial view of North Carolina

Payroll employment in North Carolina increased by 600 jobs (0.0 percent) in September. The unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percentage point to 3.4 percent.

Download Full PDF

Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "North Carolina's monthly payroll employment growth slowed in September, adding only 600 jobs on net. Strong employment gains in education and health services were offset by declines in most industries." – Bethany Greene
  • Payroll employment increased by 600 jobs (0.0 percent), on net, in September. Many industries saw declines in employment. However, this was partially offset by job gains in education and health services (3,700 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (1,400 jobs) and other services (100 jobs).
  • On an annual basis, payroll employment increased by 67,000 jobs (1.3 percent). The industries with the highest annual job growth were professional and business services (25,500 jobs), education and health services (18,700 jobs) and construction (15,900 jobs). Annual job gains were partially offset by declines in manufacturing (8,800 jobs) and information (4,500 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in North Carolina is 3.4 percent, declining by 0.1 percentage point in September. The labor force increased by 2,400 participants, the first increase this year.

Housing Market icon showing a picture of a house Housing Market Conditions

  • North Carolina issued 8.7 percent more residential permits in August 2026 than in July 2026. Residential permitting increased 17.9 percent in August 2026 compared to August 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values grew 0.8 percent in Q2 of 2026 compared to Q1 of 2026. Home values rose 2.4 percent from Q2 of 2025 to Q2 of 2026.
Snapshot Resources

  • Payroll Employment
    The number of nonfarm jobs (persons on payrolls) according to where those jobs are located.

    Unemployment Rate
    The number of unemployed persons (those not employed but available and searching for work) as a percent of the civilian labor force (the total number of employed plus unemployed persons).

    Industry Structure
    A breakdown of total nonfarm jobs by industry. Percentages sum to 100 percent.

    Industry Growth
    The percentage change in jobs in each industry from a year ago.

    Building Permits
    The number of privately owned single-family and multi-family units authorized in permit-issuing places.

    House Price Index
    A repeat sales index, measuring average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same single-family properties.

Subscribe to Economic Data

Receive an email notification when regional surveys and reports are posted online:

Subscribe to Economic Data

By submitting this form you agree to the Bank's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice.

Contact Us
Joseph Mengedoth