N.C. Jobless Rate Drops To 5.3 Percent

AP Nov 21, 2005, 02:37 PM EST RALEIGH (AP) -- Unemployment in North Carolina is down for the fourth month in a row, falling to 5.3 percent in October. In September, the jobless rate was 5.5 percent. The state Employment Security Commission says statewide employment reached 4.1 million people, an increase of almost 23,000 from September. Manufacturing gained 1,200 jobs during the month, followed by 600 jobs in professional and business services, and 500 jobs in leisure and hospitality services. The educational and health services sector lost 1,700 jobs.