State unemployment rate reaches 11 percent

North Carolina's unemployment rate increased to 11 percent in October, according to statistics released today by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.

"The numbers have been pretty steady since February," ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. "We've had ups and downs concerning the number of people employed and unemployed, but we haven't experienced any significant changes."

Unemployment increased by 4,537 workers in October to 496,279 people out of work.

The next unemployment update will be Dec. 1 when county unemployment rates will be released.

N.C. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate 2009

Oct. - 11 percent

Sept. - 10.8 percent

Aug. - 10.8 percent

July - 10.9 percent

June - 11 percent

May - 11.1 percent

April - 10.7 percent

March - 10.8 percent

Feb. - 10.7 percent

Jan. - 9.7 percent