Percentage of adults in the labor force who are employed
Employment is the key driver to economies on all scales. Residents with stable employment and sufficient income are able to support themselves, their families, and the local economy. A high employment rate means that the economy is strong enough to provide jobs for everyone who can work. The employment rate may also measure how well, or how poorly, the skills of the workforce match the available jobs in the region. On a neighborhood scale, high rates of employment create more job opportunities for people looking for work, and may thus help communities be more resilient to changes in the economy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the October 2021 unemployment rate for Charlotte was 3.6% compared to % in Mecklenburg County, 3.8% statewide, and 4.2% nationally. Following a peak of 11.2% in 2009, the unemployment rate in Mecklenburg County declined steadily through 2013, and dropped significantly through 2021.
Employment rates tell only part of the employment story, as they do not take underemployment into account. Underemployment is when a person is employed, but not to a sufficient standard, and can include working only part-time hours when full-time work is desired, not being eligible for health or other benefits, or being overqualified for a job. The national underemployment rate in 2021 was 9.0%.
Education Level - Bachelor's Degree
Education Level - High School Diploma
Long Commute
Rental Costs
Number of individuals ages 16 to 64 in the civilian labor force and employed divided by the number of individuals ages 16 to 64 in the civilian labor force. The employment rate, rather than the unemployment rate, is calculated because figures for unemployment at the neighborhood scale are statistically unreliable. This is because relatively small numbers of people are unemployed versus employed, and it is generally difficult to generate reliable estimates for small populations from sample surveys like the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey. The Census collects ACS data from only a small sample of households every month. For reliable small-area estimates, the Census compiles five years of ACS data, which are used in the Quality of Life Explorer, 5-Year Estimates: Table B23025
| Resource | Learn More and Take Action |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Works | Resources including coaching, training and networking opportunities that help to develop, align and connect job seekers to employers. |
| Unemployment Insurance | North Carolina's Unemployment Insurance program. |
| Search for a Job | North Carolina's statewide job board sponsored by the N.C. Department of Commerce. |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) | The BLS keeps statistics on employment, wages, labor demand, and the state of the labor market. |
| UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast | Keep up-to-date with this quarterly economic forecast for the state of North Carolina. |