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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

North Carolina

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Payroll employment in North Carolina increased by 16,000 (0.3 percent) in April. The unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "North Carolina posted robust employment growth in April primarily due to strong job gains in leisure and hospitality." – Bethany Greene
  • Total payroll employment in North Carolina increased by 16,000 (0.3 percent), on net, in April. Job gains were led by leisure and hospitality (5,700 jobs), professional and business services (3,100) and construction (2,700 jobs). The only industry with an employment decline was manufacturing (100 jobs).
  • On an annual basis, payroll employment increased by 45,800 jobs (0.9 percent). The industries with the highest annual job growth were education and health services (19,300 jobs), construction (13,600 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (11,300 jobs). Two industries saw annual declines: manufacturing (10,600 jobs) and information services (2,400 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in North Carolina remained at 3.7 percent. However, the labor force declined by 10,000 participants.

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

  • North Carolina issued 10.5 percent more residential permits in April 2026 than in March 2026. Residential permitting increased 35.9 percent in April 2026 compared to April 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values grew 0.3 percent in Q1 of 2026 compared to Q4 of 2025. Home values rose 2.4 percent from Q1 of 2025 to Q1 of 2026
Snapshot Resources
  • Term Definitions

    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.

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Joseph Mengedoth