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North Carolina

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Total payroll employment in North Carolina grew only slightly May, with 400 jobs added (0.0 percent). The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "Job growth slowed in North Carolina in May as job gains were offset by sizable employment declines in professional and business services." – Bethany Greene
  • Total payroll employment in North Carolina grew only slightly in May, with 400 jobs added, on net (0 percent). Job gains, primarily in construction (1,600 jobs) and trade, transportation and utilities (1,300 jobs), were offset by employment declines in several industries. Most notably, professional and business services employment declined by 2,200 jobs.
  • On an annual basis, payroll employment increased by 67,900 jobs (1.4 percent). Yearly job growth was led by education and health services (18,100 jobs), professional and business services (15,500 jobs) and government (13,300 jobs). However, three industries experienced annual declines: manufacturing (5,400 jobs), information services (800 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (200 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in North Carolina remained unchanged at 3.7 percent.

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

  • North Carolina issued 1.0 percent more residential permits in May 2025 than in April 2025. Residential permitting decreased 13.8 percent in May 2025 compared to May 2024.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values grew 1.2 percent in Q1 of 2025 compared to Q4 of 2024. Home values rose 4.8 percent from Q1 of 2024 to Q1 of 2025.
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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