Unemployment rates decreased in 47 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in July, increased in 26 and were unchanged in 27 counties. North Carolina’s statewide unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) was 9.8 percent in July. This was a 0.1 of a percentage-point decrease from June’s revised rate of 9.9 percent, and a 1.1 percentage-point decrease over the year. Locally unemployment rates fell from June to July in Avery County, from 11.2 to 10.7 percent, McDowell County, from 11.7 to 11.6 percent and Madison County, from 9.6 to 9.3 percent while the jobless rate rose in Mitchell County, from 11.9 to 12.0 percent and Yancey County from 11.2 to 11.3 percent. Scotland County recorded July’s highest unemployment rate at 17.6 percent while Buncombe County had the lowest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent.