Economic Outlook Report Q3 2026

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Key Points

  • The economic outlook for the national economy is positive. GDP, Consumption, Net Investment, and Profits are expected to grow, while the unemployment rate is expected to decline.
  • The outlook for North Carolina is positive, with growing wages, salaries, and gross state product and a falling unemployment rate.
  • The outlook for the Fayetteville Metropolitan Area is mixed.
  • Wages in Fayetteville are forecast to grow slowly through 2027.
  • The Fayetteville unemployment rate is lower than a year ago and is expected to continue its downward trend.
  • The Fayetteville labor force has declined nearly 4 percent over the past year and is forecast to continue declining into 2027.
  • The Fayetteville housing index is forecast to ease slightly from its current level.
  • In the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, wages, the labor force, and the housing index are forecast to grow, while the unemployment rate is expected to decline.
  • The Raleigh Metropolitan Area has the lowest unemployment rate of the three metro areas, with continued wage growth and a modest expansion of the labor force expected.

 

Fayetteville MSA Economic Outlook

Graphs of economic factors, the trends are discussed below.

The outlook for the Fayetteville Metropolitan Area is mixed.

  • Wages in the metro area are forecast to grow slowly through 2027.
  • The unemployment rate is lower than a year ago and is expected to continue its downward trend.
  • The labor force has declined nearly 4 percent over the past year and is forecast to continue declining into 2027.
  • The housing index is forecast to ease slightly from its current level.

 

Charlotte MSA Economic Outlook

Graphs of economic factors, the trends are discussed below.

The outlook for the Charlotte Metropolitan Area is positive.

  • Wages in the metro area are forecast to continue growing.
  • The unemployment rate is forecast to decline.
  • The labor force is expected to begin expanding in 2027.
  • The housing index is forecast to rise steadily.

   

Raleigh MSA Economic Outlook

Graphs of economic factors, the trends are discussed below.

The outlook for the Raleigh Metropolitan Area is positive.

  • Wages in the metro area are forecast to continue growing.
  • Raleigh has the lowest unemployment rate of the three metro areas, and it is forecast to decline further.
  • The labor force is forecast to grow modestly.
  • The housing index is expected to hold steady before rising in late 2027 and 2028.

   

North Carolina Economic Outlook

Graphs of economic factors, the trends are discussed below.

The North Carolina economy continues to perform well

  • Total wages and salaries and gross state product are forecast to keep growing.
  • The unemployment rate is expected to continue falling.
  • The labor force has declined over the past year but is forecast to recover in 2027.

 

National (USA) Economic Outlook

Graphs of economic factors, the trends are discussed below.

The economic outlook for the U.S. economy remains positive

  • GDP, Consumption, Net Investment, and Profits are expected to grow.
  • The unemployment rate is expected to continue declining.
  • Core inflation has eased slightly.

 

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