300 fewer Burke residents are unemployed

Burke County’s unemployment rate fell sharply in December, marking its lowest level since late 2024, according to the latest data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

The county improved by nearly a full percentage point from November. Out of a workforce of 39,375 people, just over 1,300 residents were unemployed in December, compared to 1,663 the previous month. January figures are not yet available.

Last year, Burke County’s unemployment rate ranged from 3.5% in April to 4.3% in January. The county posted a low of 3% in September 2024 and 2.9% in April of that year.

While the drop in December suggests more residents were working, it can also reflect seasonal shifts in hiring or changes in how many people are actively seeking employment.

Even with the improvement, businesses and organizations in the region continue to hire.

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area, Dollar General currently lists the most job openings. Registered nurses also remain in high demand, with employers such as Catawba Valley Medical Center and UNC Health Care System among the area’s top hiring organizations.

— AKC