Asheville area unemployment declined in April, among lowest in state

Driven by gains in the leisure and hospitality sector, Asheville metro area unemployment declined in April to 7.7 percent, down from 8.2 percent in March, according to numbers from the state Employment Security Commission. Buncombe County’s unemployment rate declined to 7.3 percent, the fifth-lowest in the state.

The Asheville metropolitan area, consisting of Buncombe, Haywood, Madison and Henderson counties, added 2,800 jobs, with the largest share coming from increases in the leisure and hospitality sector, though smaller gains were seen across most sectors, especially transportation/utilities and education/health services. Among the state’s metropolitan areas, Asheville currently has one of the lowest unemployment rates, tied with Raleigh/Cary. Only Chapel Hill/Durham, at 7 percent, had lower unemployment.

Buncombe County itself also saw an improving employment situation, dropping from 7.7 to 7.3 percent unemployment, the fifth-lowest rate in the state.

The rates are not adjusted to remove seasonal fluctuations in employment.

— David Forbes, senior news reporter

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4 thoughts on “Asheville area unemployment declined in April, among lowest in state

  1. bill smith

    /clearly, although the mainstream liberal media may spin it differently, this good news is obviously due to Chad Nesbitt’s diligent work for the GOP.

  2. bill smith

    dropping off rolls might be a job if you’re a bread delivery guy or something.

  3. whogivesafart

    Too funny,I know for a fact its because people are moving the heck away from Asheville. Just take a look at the housing decline too my friends. The Money Vacs have done it again. Bring in the tourist they say,lol.

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