Robeson County Unemployment Falls to 5.2% in February

Robeson County's jobless rate fell to 5.2% in February. That's down from 5.7% in January, per N.C. Department of Commerce data. The half-point drop marks the biggest February gain in six years.

In February, 44,038 workers made up the labor pool. Of those, 41,739 held jobs while 2,299 remained out of work.

Every county touching Robeson's borders saw rates decline between January and February. Bladen County shifted from 5.7% to 5.3%. Columbus County dipped from 4.8% to 4.4%, and Cumberland County slid from 5.1% to 4.7%. Hoke County dropped from 5.1% to 4.8%, with Scotland County moving from 5.4% to 5.3%.

The Fayetteville metro area, which covers the county, watched its rate sink from 5.1% to 4.7% during February. Across the state, 91 out of 100 counties posted lower jobless numbers that month.

North Carolina's rate stayed flat at 3.8% in February. Meanwhile, the U.S. rate climbed from 4.3% to 4.4%.

February 2026's figure shows a year-over-year jump from February 2025, when the rate sat at 4.9%. Statewide, 57 counties saw rates drop, 27 counties experienced increases, and 16 counties held steady between February 2025 and February 2026.

The N.C. Department of Commerce pointed out in a press release that job estimates swing wildly with seasons. Officials suggested paying closer attention to year-over-year shifts in the unadjusted estimates rather than month-to-month changes.