The ranks of the unemployed fell in April.

Unemployment in Anson decreased from 14.9 percent to 13.8 percent, according to a May 28 statement from the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina.

Anson was not alone. The unemployment rate dropped in 99 of North Carolina's 100 counties.

"The positive news in the April county data is that there has been an increase in the number of workers employed throughout the state," ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes said. He added that 63 counties still suffered an unemployment rate above 10 percent.

The seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate was 10.8 percent. By comparison, the unemployment rate in Anson in April of 2009 was 13.4 percent.

Anson still suffered a higher unemployment rate than its neighbors. The rates in Stanly, Richmond and Union counties were 11.7 percent, 12.9 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.

Currituck County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state of 5.8 percent. Scotland County had the highest rate, 15.8 percent.