Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in January 2022.

Total employment in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC market declined by 437 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC unemployment rate is 24 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 10 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 13.6% and are up 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 November 2022

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

  • Manufacturing: 42,100; -100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 32,200; +400
  • Government: 23,500; +400
  • Education & Healthcare: 19,600; +200
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Unemployment by Industry November 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2022 (Data published January 2022 and reports created on January 3, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.