RALEIGH – North Carolina’s unemployment rate saw its first increase since January with July’s rate at 8.9 percent.

The Department of Commerce, Labor and Economic Analysis Division announced Monday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment figures didn’t follow the pattern of the national trend as the U.S. rate fell 0.2 percent to 7.6.

However, compared to July 2012, unemployment numbers decreased by more than 36,500 workers and employed workers increased by nearly 15,000.

County-by-county unemployment figures are scheduled to be released Wednesday, August 28.

July 2013 State Unemployment Rate