From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The unemployment rate in Western North Carolina plummeted to 3.2 percent as of December 2025, down significantly from 4 percent in November 2025, the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board announced on Feb. 24.

In comparison, the statewide not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was slightly higher — 3.4 percent.

Besides announcing the regional unemployment rate improvement, the board continued its discussion on how to help our workforce prepare for all the opportunities in the region, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported later Feb. 24. The board serves Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties.

Key details regarding the WNC employment landscape in December 2025 included the following:

• Regional recovery — This decline indicates a strengthening labor market, with the region recovering post-Helene, placing Buncombe County’s unemployment rate on par with the statewide average for the first time since the hurricane.

• Sector performance — While the overall regional job market is looking up, the leisure and hospitality industry continues to struggle, with 2,000 fewer jobs in Buncombe County compared to September 2025. Conversely, private education and health services have seen job growth.

• Workforce trends — The Mountain Area Workforce Development Board (serving Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties) noted a positive trend in employment, although some sectors like tourism are still recovering.

• County variations — Unemployment rates across WNC vary, with some counties like Swain at 3.2 percent and others, like Rutherford at 4.5 percent, as of late 2025.

• Regional focus — Long-term recovery efforts are focusing on infrastructure, health care, and skilled trades (construction, HVAC, electrical).