The US Bureau of Labor Statistics just updated the preliminary unemployment numbers for Asheville for December 2021, and our local unemployment rate continues to improve. Today, we’re breaking down what the numbers mean.

Screengrab from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Local takeaways

The total number of people — ot seasonally adjusted — comprising the Civilian Labor Force in Asheville is 230,900.
The number of persons employed is 224,900.
There are 6,000 people in the Asheville Metropolitan Area that are unemployed.
The unemployment rate fell to 2.6% in December. It has continued to decline steadily over the past 12 months, with the rate in December of 2020 at 5.6%.
1,500 positions were added, and just 1,000 workers entered the labor force (thus causing the decrease in the employment rate).
Nonfarm payrolls increased by $1,800.
The only individual sector to see significant employment changes was Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which added 1,200 positions.

How does Asheville compare with the rest of North Carolina?

Screengrab from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The number of people in the Civilian Labor Force statewide increased to 5,057,700 in December, up from 5,041,700 in November.
The number of folks employed across the Tarheel State rose to 4,869,300.
The state’s unemployment rate fell to 3.7%. Asheville is doing a bit better at 2.6%.
25,800 positions were added, with 16,000 workers entering the labor force and causing the decrease in the unemployment rate.
Neither nonfarm payroll figures nor individual employment sectors saw any significant changes.

Want even more unemployment + employment data for Asheville and North Carolina? Find it here.