Mountain Area Unemployment Rate 3.2%

Unemployment rate in Mountain Area region was 3.2% as of August 2026. There are 5,947 less employed individuals compared to one year ago. Unemployed Individuals by month (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties):



August 2026 7,686

July 2026 8,115

June 2026 7,860

May 2026 7,907

April 2026 7,732

March 2026 8,042

February 2026 8,763

January 2026 8,251

December 2025 7,967

November 2025 10,140

October (Unavailable)

September 2025 9,024

August 2025 10,046

Note there are some statistical disparities between the data reported for the Asheville metro and the Mountain Area Workforce region as the metro does not include Haywood or Transylvania Counties. The Mountain Area Workforce region includes Transylvania County but not Haywood County.

Total Labor Force 215,817

Total Employed Labor Force 208,443

Among the metro areas, Asheville had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.1% while Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.8% (as of August 2026). Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.4%. Currituck County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.7%.

Buncombe 3.2%

Haywood 3.1%

Henderson 3.0%

Madison 3.3%

Transylvania 3.2%

Change in Unemployed Indidviduals Relative to 2018

Mountain Area Labor Force (compared to 5 years ago)

Mountain Area Employed Individuals (compared to 5 years ago)

Mountain Area Unemployment Rate

Mountain Area Unemployed Individuals (compared to 5 years ago)

Asheville MSA Industry Jobs (compared to one year ago)

Asheville MSA Jobs

Mountain Area Job Openings

Mountain Area WDB Taxable Retail Sales

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