RALEIGH — Bladen County saw its unemployment numbers for the month of April inched downward again to 7.6 percent.

Neighboring counties also reported decreases in their unemployment figures as well. Columbus County reported an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent in April down from 7.1 percent in March. Robeson County reported an unemployment rate of 8.0 percent in April down from 8.2 percent in March. Scotland County was still reporting double digit unemployment numbers in April with an unemployment rate of 10.0 though that was down from 10.1 percent in March.

Bladen County claimed a labor force of 14,321 in April and identified 1,086 individuals as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent in April 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 1.1 percent and ranked 88th in unemployment.

Columbus County claimed a labor force of 22,941 and identified 1,547 individuals as unemployed for the month of April. The county reported an unemployment rate of 7.8 percent in April 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 1.1 percent and ranked 78th in unemployment.

Robeson County claimed a labor force of 50,611 and identified 4,035 individuals as unemployed in April. The county reported an unemployment rate of 9.0 in April 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 1.0 percent and ranked 91st in unemployment.

Scotland County claimed a labor force of 11,939 and identified 1,189 individuals as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 11.4 percent in April 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 1.4 percent and ranked 99th in unemployment.

The state of North Carolina reported a statewide unemployment rate of 5.5 percent for the month of April, just slightly higher than the national unemployment rate of 5.4 percent for April.

The state of North Carolina reported a statewide unemployment rate of 5.3 percent for the month of March, just slightly better than the national unemployment rate of 5.5 percent for March.

According to the North Carolina Labor Market Conditions, “Regular Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance totaled 18,384 in April, decreasing 1,972 from March.”

According to the release, for the period ending April 2015, $360,583,582 was paid in the unemployment program. The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance was $8,143,579 and the state reserve fund balance was $67,819,689.

—Erin Smith can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.