The county has the second highest unemployment rate in the state, with Graham County moving into first after a 1.8 point increase in joblessness gave the county a 17.6 percent rate.
Following Scotland is Rutherford County with a 16.9 percent unemployment rate, and caldwell and Edgecombe counties with 16.7 percent rates.
The rate change largely reflects a drop in county residents currently employed as 287 fewer people held jobs in December than in November. There were also 36 more people people looking for work.
The county's labor force is now 13,657 people with 11,322 residents considered employed and 2,335 seeking work.
Most neighboring counties also saw an uptick in unemployment. Richmond County's rate increased by 0.3 points to 14 percent while Moore and Robeson counties saw a rate increase of 0.2, putting their rates at 10 and 12 percent, respectively. Only Hoke saw a decrease, with unemployment falling a tenth of a point to 8.4 percent.
Eighty-six counties in North Carolina saw an increase local joblessness as the state's unemployment rate increased 0.2 to 10.9 percent in December with nearly half a million people in the Tar Heel state looking for work.
"This recession continues to affect North Carolina's economy," said ESC Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. "Virtually every major job sector has been impacted. The ESC continues to work hard in providing many services to the citizens of North Carolina. Whether it be job search assistance or the issuing of unemployment benefits to those who are eligible, the ESC remains committed to the citizens of our state."
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