NC unemployment dips to 3.7% in March as state adds 9,400 jobs

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina's unemployment rate ticked down to 3.7% in March, a 0.1 percentage point decrease from February, according to new state data. The national rate also fell slightly to 4.3%.

The number of unemployed residents dropped by nearly 4,000 over the month to 197,113, while total nonfarm employment increased by 9,400 jobs to about 5.08 million.

Gains were led by Trade, Transportation and Utilities, Manufacturing, and Leisure and Hospitality. Small declines were reported in Government, Information, and a few other sectors.

Over the past year, the state has added 44,500 jobs overall, despite losses in manufacturing and information.

County-level unemployment figures are set to be released May 19.