Public Radio for the Piedmont and High Country
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Report: Winston-Salem Economy Shows Signs of Recovery

Winston-Salem has made big strides when it comes to recovering from the economic toll of the pandemic. That's according to a report released last week from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The report, which looked at data from April of this year, shows that the unemployment rate in the Winston-Salem area was sitting at 4.3%. A year earlier, that number was close to 13%. Dr. Robert Whaples, an economics professor at Wake Forest University, says that's pretty significant. 

“If you look at the unemployment rate for the Winston-Salem area over the last decade, the average has been about six percent," says Whaples. "And so it's not just that we're below the national average and the state average, we're below our long term average as well.”

The national rate for the same period was 5.7%. Whaples says the lower local number could be related to how quickly the state has been able to reopen.

“I think those service sector jobs that were especially hit by the recession are coming back faster here in Winston-Salem, although they haven't come back all the way,” says Whaples.

The report shows the local labor force is still significantly smaller than it was pre-pandemic, indicating that many people have just stopped looking for jobs. 

For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here. WFDD wants to hear your stories — connect with us and let us know what you're experiencing

April Laissle is a reporter and WFDD's host of All Things Considered. Her work has been featured on several national news programs and recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Before joining WFDD in 2019, she worked at public radio stations in Ohio and California.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.

Donate