Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Manufacturing, which gained 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC market rose by 1,075 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.

  • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC unemployment rate is 74 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 200 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 5.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Unemployment February 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Manufacturing: 41,600; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 31,500; +200
  • Government: 22,500; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 18,400; -100
  • Business Services: 14,500; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 12,900; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 5,100; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,600; no change
  • Financial Services: 3,100; no change
  • IT & Development: 700; no change
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Unemployment by Industry February 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 6, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.