By Kristy D. Carter

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Sampson County is like the vast majority of the counties across the state — for the month of June, the unemployment rate has increased just like the surrounding counties.

According to the figures that were released Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in the month of June. That same rate decreased in only four of the other counties and remained stagnant in one county.

Sampson County’s unemployment rate increased .1 percent from May to June. In the most recent month, Sampson’s rate was 6.2 percent, up from May’s 6.1 percent. In comparison with all 100 counties, Sampson County ranked 45th, down from May’s 53rd ranking.

The statewide unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, was 6.1 percent, an increase from the May figures.

Statistics show that Sampson has a labor force of 29,957 people for June, up from the 29,513 in May. However, the number of unemployed people rose slightly, from 1,815 in May to 1,871 in June.

The number of workers employed statewide decreased in June by 29,103, while those unemployed increased by 11,822.

When compared to surrounding counties, Sampson County falls at the lower end of unemployment rates. The unemployment rate for Harnett County is 7.3 percent, Duplin County is 6.2 percent, Pender County is 6.3 percent and on top was Cumberland County coming in at 7.8 percent.

In comparision to other counties across the state, Sampson County’s figures aren’t seemingly as high, with the highest unemployment rate coming from Graham County. Numbers show that Graham County’s unemployment rate is 12.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.7 percent.

All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 8.9 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 5.0 percent.

The next unemployment update will be released Aug. 21, when the statewide numbers for July and released.

Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.