State unemployment rate inches upward to 11.1

Unemployment in North Carolina topped 11 percent in January, the state Employment Security Commission reported today.

The rate stood at 11.1 percent, up from 10.9 percent in December. The December rate was adjusted from an initial estimate of 11.2 percent, the commission reported. In January 2006, the rate was 9.2 percent.

The biggest gains for the month were in trade, transportation and utilities at 8,000 jobs. Topping the losses was construction with a decrease of 5,000 jobs. Non-farm employment has decreased by 114,200 jobs since January 2009, the commission reported.

The national rate in January of this year was 9.7 percent. County-by-country rates will be released next week.