Unemployment rates decreased in 76 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in October, increased in 16, and were unchanged in eight. But in the High Country, unemployment is a very mixed bag, with Ashe unemployment jumping a full percent to 11.2 after falling just the month before. Avery unemployment fell .4 of a percent between September and October, and Watauga remained the same at 7.3%. Caldwell and Wilkes both saw .1 of a percent  reductions in unemployment, Caldwell landing at 10.2, Wilkes at 10.1%. Statewide, the rate is 8.8% with statistics improving in both an increase in the number employed and a decrease in the number of unemployed.