The November unemployment rate in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro area was 4.2%. The Asheville metro rate was 3.6%, which was the lowest rate in the state. Are county rates include:
* Alexander - 3.7%
* Avery - 4.3%
* Burke - 4.3%
* Caldwell - 4.5%
* Catawba - 4.2%
* Lincoln - 4%
* McDowell - 4%
* Mitchell - 4.8%
* Watauga - 3.8%
Buncombe County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.4% while Tyrrell County had the highest unemployment rate for November at 8.1%.