Edgecombe County continues to have the second-highest unemployment rate in North Carolina, according to statistics released Friday by the state’s Employment Security Commission.

Edgecombe has had the second-highest rate in the state in 12 of the last 16 months.

Unemployment rates decreased in 76 North Carolina counties in September, increased in 14 counties and remained the same in 10.

Edgecombe's rate decreased from 16.3 percent to 16.2 percent in September. It is behind only Scotland County, which is at 16.5 percent.

Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in September, at 5 percent, followed by Hyde, 5.9 percent; Orange, 6.3 percent; Dare, 6.8 percent; and Watauga, 6.9 percent.

“The global and national recession continues to affect our state,” said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. “While 76 counties across North Carolina experienced an unemployment rate decrease, we must remember that most of these same counties remain at a high rate. We’re encouraged by some recent job announcements, but we are also aware of some continued layoffs. The ESC continues to help job seekers connect with employers all across the state.”

All of Edgecombe’s neighboring counties also saw their rates decrease. Wilson County’s rate fell from 12.8 to 11.9 percent; Halifax dropped from 13.7 to 13.1; Nash dipped from 12.4 to 11.9; Pitt fell from 10.4 to 10.0; and Martin dropped from 10.7 to 10.6.

Sixty-three counties had rates of 10 percent or more in August compared to 69 in July.

North Carolina’s statewide unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) was 10.4 percent in September, a 0.3 of a percentage point decrease from August’s rate of 10.7 percent.