RALEIGH, --  The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 8.9 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate. The national rate declined to 7.4 percent from June’s 7.6 percent. North Carolina’s July 2013 unemployment rate was 0.7 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 13,735 over the month to 4,278,516, and increased 14,902 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,527 over the month to 417,841, and declined 36,644 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 8,200 to 4,053,600 in July. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was Trade, Transportation & Utilities at 5,200, followed by Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,700; Financial Activities, 2,400; Professional & Business Services, 1,700; Manufacturing, 1,200; Other Services, 700; Information, 200; and Construction, 100. Major industries to experience decreases were Government, 5,300; and Education & Health Services, 700. Mining & Logging employment remained flat over the month.