High Point’s unemployment rate peaked at 11.4% in 2009 following the Great Recession, but then steadily decreased back down to its lowest levels in 20 years before the impact of COVID-19 caused a spike to 9.3% in 2020. This compares to a state-wide unemployment rate that peaked at 11% in 2009 and jumped to 7.3% in 2020.
The median household income, which is the income level that creates an equal distribution above and below it, was $43,594 for High Point in 2010. This was less than the $45,570 median income level for the state, but higher than both Greensboro ($41,530) and Winston-Salem ($41,483). The percentage of households by income category for the three Triad cities is shown in the following chart.