United States Congress Joint Economic Committee

North Carolina

December 2024

Labor Market (BLS/Haver)
Most Recent Prior Month 12 Mo. Prior
North Carolina Unemployment (U-3) 3.6% 3.8% 3.4%
U.S. Official Rate (U-3) 3.7% 3.7% 3.4%
U.S. "Real" Rate (U-6) 7.0% 7.1% 6.7%
North Carolina Labor Force Participation Rate 60.4% 60.4% 61.1%
U.S. Labor Force Participation Rate 62.6% 62.7% 62.7%
Prices (BLS/Haver, AAA)
Most Recent Prior Month 12 Mo. Prior
CPI-U Inflation 3.4% 3.1% 6.5%
"Core" CPI Inflation 3.9% 4.0% 5.7%
National Gas/gal. Updated 12/26/24 12:00 AM $3.04 $3.07 $3.13
North Carolina Gas/gal. $2.86 $2.87 $2.95
South Region: Loaf of Bread $1.83 $1.80 $1.70
South Region: Milk/gal. $4.06 $4.07 $4.22
Economic Growth (BEA, WSJ/Haver)
U.S. Real GDP
Q3/2024 (2nd Estimate)
2.8%
NC Real GDP
Q3/2024
3.9%
S&P 500 (YTD)
0.29% Updated 1/16/24 5:00 AM
Minimum Wage (DOL/WHD)
National Hourly Rate
$7.25
NC Hourly Rate
$7.25
Last Generated: 12/26/24 5:15 AM