The North Carolina Department of Commerce released the December, 2020 county unemployment numbers on Wednesday. The rate of joblessness increased in 55 of North Carolina’s counties, decreased in 28, including Alexander County, and remained unchanged in 17.
Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.2 percent while Watauga County had the lowest at 4.3 percent.
Area Counties
Alexander…5.4 down from 5.6 in November
Caldwell…6.6 unchanged from November
Catawba…6.0 down from 6.1 in November
Iredell 5.7…down from 5.8 in November
Wilkes 5.4…up from 5.3 in November
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact local, state, and national unemployment. In December 2019, Alexander County recorded an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent.