Skip to Main Content
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

North Carolina

aerial view of North Carolina

Payroll employment in North Carolina declined by 700 (0 percent) in July. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6 percent.

Download Full PDF

Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "North Carolina's job growth was slightly negative in July, losing 700 jobs on net. Most industries saw negative or flat employment growth, though robust job gains in professional and business services were a notable exception." – Bethany Greene
  • Total payroll employment in North Carolina declined by 700 (0 percent), on net, in July. The only industries with positive monthly job growth were professional and business services (6,100 jobs), construction (800 jobs) and information (100 jobs).
  • On an annual basis, payroll employment increased by 51,600 jobs (1 percent). The industries with the highest annual job growth were professional and business services (19,400 jobs), construction (15,400 jobs) and education and health services (15,000 jobs). Annual job gains were offset by declines in manufacturing (9,900 jobs), information (3,300 jobs), trade, transportation & utilities (1,600 jobs) and other services (300 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in North Carolina was unchanged at 3.6 percent. However, the labor force continued to decline in July by 25,100 participants.

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

  • North Carolina issued 7.9 percent less residential permits in July 2026 than in June 2026. Residential permitting increased 8 percent in July 2026 compared to July 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 Icon Contact Us
Joseph Mengedoth