CHAPEL HILL – State unemployment numbers in February returned to where they were in the final month of 2012, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Thursday morning’s release showed North Carolina’s February 2013 jobless rate fell back to 9.4 percent (seasonally adjusted) from 9.5 in January. That once again ties the lowest mark from 2012 and the lowest since before February 2009.

Professional & Business Services saw the largest gain of 2,600 jobs followed by Education and Health Services with 2,100.

National numbers also fell from 7.9 to 7.7 percent.

To see a complete breakdown of the numbers, click here. County-by-county numbers are scheduled to be released on April 10.

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