Best Job Markets in North Carolina
Cities ranked by lowest unemployment rate · 50 cities · Updated 2026-04-05
This ranking shows the best job markets in North Carolina based on data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. All 50 cities are sorted by lowest unemployment rate from lowest to highest. Alamance leads the ranking with a value of 0.2% and a population of 1,358.
The top three cities are Alamance (0.2%), Jamestown (0.3%), and Harkers Island (0.5%). Data is updated nightly from official Census APIs. Click any city name to view its full demographic profile, or see the national best job markets ranking to compare across all 50 states. You can also explore all cities in North Carolina.
| Rank | City | Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alamance | 0.2% | 1,358 |
| #2 | Jamestown | 0.3% | 3,685 |
| #3 | Harkers Island | 0.5% | 1,080 |
| #4 | White Lake | 0.5% | 961 |
| #5 | Edneyville | 0.6% | 2,698 |
| #6 | Hemby Bridge | 0.6% | 2,079 |
| #7 | Middlesex | 0.6% | 1,005 |
| #8 | Swannanoa | 0.6% | 6,043 |
| #9 | Blowing Rock | 0.7% | 848 |
| #10 | Ocracoke | 0.7% | 709 |
| #11 | Polkville | 0.7% | 542 |
| #12 | Southport | 0.7% | 4,143 |
| #13 | Dublin | 0.8% | 482 |
| #14 | Hoffman | 0.8% | 789 |
| #15 | Mountain Home | 0.8% | 3,518 |
| #16 | Jackson Heights | 0.9% | 1,002 |
| #17 | Robbins | 0.9% | 1,398 |
| #18 | Varnamtown | 0.9% | 792 |
| #19 | Cove Creek | 1.0% | 1,533 |
| #20 | Duck | 1.0% | 662 |
| #21 | Farmville | 1.0% | 4,493 |
| #22 | Hobgood | 1.0% | 215 |
| #23 | Wendell | 1.0% | 11,585 |
| #24 | Dudley | 1.1% | 2,320 |
| #25 | James City | 1.1% | 4,859 |
| #26 | Biltmore Forest | 1.2% | 1,536 |
| #27 | Bryson City | 1.2% | 1,676 |
| #28 | Bunn | 1.2% | 468 |
| #29 | Canton | 1.2% | 4,417 |
| #30 | Northlakes | 1.2% | 1,462 |
| #31 | Sneads Ferry | 1.2% | 2,556 |
| #32 | Bath | 1.3% | 229 |
| #33 | Candor | 1.3% | 1,284 |
| #34 | Foxfire | 1.3% | 1,730 |
| #35 | Ocean Isle Beach | 1.3% | 796 |
| #36 | Sedalia | 1.3% | 680 |
| #37 | Webster | 1.3% | 501 |
| #38 | Wrightsville Beach | 1.3% | 2,679 |
| #39 | Atkinson | 1.4% | 487 |
| #40 | Buies Creek | 1.4% | 3,613 |
| #41 | Emerald Isle | 1.4% | 3,915 |
| #42 | Grantsboro | 1.4% | 698 |
| #43 | Newton Grove | 1.4% | 574 |
| #44 | Kure Beach | 1.5% | 2,323 |
| #45 | Ronda | 1.5% | 468 |
| #46 | Seven Lakes | 1.5% | 4,823 |
| #47 | Taylorsville | 1.5% | 2,386 |
| #48 | Bayboro | 1.6% | 1,282 |
| #49 | Belwood | 1.6% | 928 |
| #50 | Carthage | 1.6% | 2,840 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What city has the best job markets in North Carolina?
Alamance ranks #1 for best job markets in North Carolina with a value of 0.2% and a population of 1,358.
How many cities are ranked for best job markets in North Carolina?
There are 50 cities ranked for best job markets in North Carolina. Rankings are based on data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
How does North Carolina compare to other states for best job markets?
You can compare North Carolina's city rankings to other states or view the national ranking at our national best job markets page, which lists the top 100 cities across all 50 states.