RALEIGH — Bladen County saw its unemployment rate for July inch upward to 9.0 percent after a jump in June to 8.6 percent. The county’s rate was 8.3 percent in May.

Other counties in the region also reported increases in their unemployment rates for July. Columbus County reported an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in July after inching upward in June to 7.9 percent. Robeson County reported an unemployment rate of 9.5 up slightly from 9.1 percent in June. Scotland County, which still holds the highest unemployment rate in the region, held steady at an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent for both June and July.

Bladen County claimed a workforce of 14,545 and classified 1,307 as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 9.9 percent in July 2014 for an over-the-year-decrease of 0.9 percent. The county is currently ranked 91st in unemployment.

Columbus County reported a labor force of 23,204 and classified 1,902 individuals as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent in July 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 0.9 percent. The county is currently ranked 83rd in unemployment.

Robeson County claimed a labor force of 50,435 and classified 4,785 individuals as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 10.2 in July 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 0.7 percent. The county is currently ranked 94th in unemployment.

Scotland County claimed a labor force of 11,821 and classified 1,381 individuals as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 12.5 percent in July 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 0.8 percent. The county is currently ranked 100 in unemployment.

For the month of July, four counties reported an unemployment rate greater than 10 percent while 94 counties reported an unemployment rate between 5 and 10 percent. Only two counties reported an unemployment rate of less than five percent.

For the month of June, four counties reported an unemployment rate greater than 10 percent while 93 counties reported an unemployment rate between 5 and 10 percent. Only three counties reported an unemployment rate of less than five percent.

For the month of July, North Carolina reported an unemployment rate of 5.9 percent up slightly from a rate of 5.8 percent in June. The national unemployment rate was reported to be steady at 5.3 percent for June and July.

According to the North Carolina Labor Market Conditions, “Regular Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance totaled 18,468 in July, decreasing 1,950 from June.”

According to the release, for the period ending July 2015, $325,273,773 was paid in the unemployment program. The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance was $525,150,911.

Erin Smith can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

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Erin Smith

erinsmith@civitasmedia.com