October unemployment rates released Thursday, show an increase in 93 of North Carolina's 100 counties. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area rate was 4%, with Asheville's rate at 3.3%.
Area county rates include:
Alexander - 3.4%
Avery - 3.8%
Burke - 3.9%
Caldwell - 4.6%
Catawba - 3.9%
Lincoln - 3.6%
McDowell - 3.7%
Mitchell - 4.4%
Watauga - 3.4%
Scotland County had the state's unemployment rate in October at 7.2%, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.