Find a Job You Really Want In
Top 10 Cities in North Carolina with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career yet love your current home, you may be on the hunt for a new job within your community. Understanding the local job market is essential. Here, we highlight the cities in North Carolina with the most robust job markets based on their unemployment rates.
Many individuals settle in North Carolina due to job opportunities, but whether you’re relocating for personal reasons or seeking employment in a new state, knowing the strength of the job market is crucial.
To find out which cities in the Tar Heel State boast the lowest unemployment rates, we analyzed demographic data sourced from the latest Census figures. We focused on cities with populations over 10,000 to ensure a comprehensive overview of employment opportunities:
- Carrboro(Jobs)
- Summerfield(Jobs)
- Clemmons(Jobs)
- Pinehurst(Jobs)
- Cary(Jobs)
- Holly Springs(Jobs)
- Cornelius(Jobs)
- Morrisville(Jobs)
- Matthews(Jobs)
- Mebane(Jobs)
For employers, a low unemployment rate reflects a healthy labor market, making Carrboro the standout city with the lowest unemployment rate in North Carolina.
Continue reading to discover how we identified these cities as top contenders for employment opportunities.
For more insights on job opportunities in North Carolina, explore:
- Search for Jobs in North Carolina
- Highest Paying Jobs in North Carolina
- Fastest Growing Jobs in North Carolina
How We Identified North Carolina’s Cities with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To pinpoint the cities with the lowest unemployment rates in North Carolina, we focused on locations with populations exceeding 10,000, ensuring a relevant data sample. This analysis included 83 cities across the state.
We examined the latest unemployment rates from the American Community Survey provided by the Census Bureau, which serves as a reliable indicator of job market health and prospects for job seekers. Rankings were determined from one to 83, with the top city being recognized as the “most employed.” In cases of ties, the city with the larger population was favored.
If your city isn’t in the top ten, check the detailed chart at the end for more insights. Otherwise, let’s delve deeper into how these cities achieved their rankings.
1. Carrboro
Population: 20,337
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
Carrboro leads our list with an impressive unemployment rate of just 3.5%, making it the top choice for job seekers in North Carolina.
2. Summerfield
Population: 10,477
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Summerfield claims the second spot with a low unemployment rate of 3.6%, proving to be a strong contender in the job market.
3. Clemmons
Population: 19,101
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Clemmons rounds out the top three with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, showcasing a solid job market for residents.
4. Pinehurst
Population: 15,052
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
Pinehurst follows closely in fourth place with a population of 15,052 and an unemployment rate of 4.1%, making it an attractive option for those seeking employment.
5. Cary
Population: 146,041
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
The vibrant community of Cary occupies the fifth spot, with a population of 146,041 and an unemployment rate holding steady at 4.5%.
6. Holly Springs
Population: 27,339
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Holly Springs ranks sixth, maintaining a respectable unemployment rate of 4.8%, appealing to job seekers looking for stability.
7. Cornelius
Population: 26,246
Unemployment Rate: 5.3%
Cornelius secures the seventh position with a 5.3% unemployment rate, reflecting a competitive job market for its residents.
8. Morrisville
Population: 20,728
Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
Morrisville comes in at eighth place with an unemployment rate of 5.4%, making it an appealing choice for job seekers.
9. Matthews
Population: 28,677
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
Matthews finishes at ninth place, offering a 5.5% unemployment rate, which is favorable for those considering relocation.
10. Mebane
Population: 12,509
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Mebane wraps up our top ten list with an unemployment rate of 5.6%, showcasing its potential for job seekers.
Summary of Unemployment Across North Carolina
These are the ten cities with the lowest unemployment rates in North Carolina, proving to have strong job markets. If you’re considering a move to the Tar Heel State and want to prioritize employment opportunities, these cities should be at the top of your list.
For further information on different cities and states across the U.S., visit Zippia. If you’re a recent graduate contemplating relocation, check out which states college grads tend to stay in and which they leave.
Here’s a brief look at North Carolina’s cities with the highest unemployment rates:
- Henderson
- Lexington
- Boone
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in North Carolina
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Carrboro | 1 | 3.5% |
| Summerfield | 2 | 3.6% |
| Clemmons | 3 | 3.9% |
| Pinehurst | 4 | 4.1% |
| Cary | 5 | 4.5% |
| Holly Springs | 6 | 4.8% |
| Cornelius | 7 | 5.3% |
| Morrisville | 8 | 5.4% |
| Matthews | 9 | 5.5% |
| Mebane | 10 | 5.6% |
| Mint Hill | 11 | 5.6% |
| Kernersville | 12 | 5.7% |
| Chapel Hill | 13 | 5.7% |
| Wake Forest | 14 | 5.8% |
| Apex | 15 | 5.9% |
| Huntersville | 16 | 6.0% |
| Knightdale | 17 | 6.1% |
| Harrisburg | 18 | 6.4% |
| Hickory | 19 | 6.5% |
| Davidson | 20 | 6.6% |
| Leland | 21 | 6.7% |
| Asheville | 22 | 6.9% |
| Durham | 23 | 7.0% |
| Raleigh | 24 | 7.1% |
| Indian Trail | 25 | 7.1% |
| Stallings | 26 | 7.3% |
| Archdale | 27 | 7.4% |
| Garner | 28 | 7.5% |
| Lewisville | 29 | 7.5% |
| Hendersonville | 30 | 7.9% |
| Reidsville | 31 | 8.1% |
| Waxhaw | 32 | 8.2% |
| Greensboro | 33 | 8.5% |
| Clayton | 34 | 8.6% |
| Southern Pines | 35 | 8.7% |
| Graham | 36 | 8.8% |
| Mount Holly | 37 | 8.8% |
| Hope Mills | 38 | 9.1% |
| Concord | 39 | 9.3% |
| Mooresville | 40 | 9.4% |
| Burlington | 41 | 9.5% |
| Fuquay-Varina | 42 | 9.5% |
| Charlotte | 43 | 9.5% |
| Belmont | 44 | 9.8% |
| Mount Airy | 45 | 9.9% |
| Lumberton | 46 | 10.2% |
| Wilmington | 47 | 10.3% |
| Sanford | 48 | 10.4% |
| Roanoke Rapids | 49 | 10.5% |
| Monroe | 50 | 10.7% |
| Wilson | 51 | 10.7% |
| Kannapolis | 52 | 10.7% |
| Havelock | 53 | 10.9% |
| Morganton | 54 | 10.9% |
| Winston-Salem | 55 | 11.1% |
| Albemarle | 56 | 11.3% |
| Smithfield | 57 | 11.4% |
| High Point | 58 | 11.4% |
| Asheboro | 59 | 11.5% |
| Tarboro | 60 | 11.8% |
| Gastonia | 61 | 12.2% |
| Jacksonville | 62 | 12.3% |
| Greenville | 63 | 12.6% |
| Fayetteville | 64 | 13.2% |
| Kings Mountain | 65 | 13.5% |
| Thomasville | 66 | 13.6% |
| New Bern | 67 | 13.7% |
| Salisbury | 68 | 14.0% |
| Newton | 69 | 14.6% |
| Shelby | 70 | 15.7% |
| Elizabeth City | 71 | 15.7% |
| Rocky Mount | 72 | 15.7% |
| Eden | 73 | 15.8% |
| Kinston | 74 | 15.9% |
| Lincolnton | 75 | 16.0% |
| Lenoir | 76 | 16.1% |
| Statesville | 77 | 16.3% |
| Spring Lake | 78 | 16.6% |
| Laurinburg | 79 | 16.9% |
| Goldsboro | 80 | 17.3% |
| Boone | 81 | 17.5% |
| Lexington | 82 | 18.3% |
| Henderson | 83 | 19.2% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
