Unemployment rate in SC rises in October

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South Carolina’s unemployment rate increased to 3.3% in October from September’s estimate of 3.2%, according to data released Nov. 18 by the S.C. Department of Unemployment and Workforce.

During October, the estimate of unemployed people in the state increased to 78,578, an increase of 3,174 from September’s estimate but a decrease of 7,945 from October 2021.

The seasonally adjusted monthly survey estimated the number of South Carolinians working decreased to 2,307,838, a significant decrease of 7,984 from the September estimate but an increase of 23,631 from the October 2021 estimate.

The national unemployment rate increased to 3.7% from September’s estimate of 3.5%.

During October, the state saw an increase of 2,600 nonfarm payroll jobs, according to the DEW report, with gains in trade, transportation and utilities, professional and business services, education and health services and manufacturing. Industries that reported declines were construction, government, financial activities, information, and other services. Leisure and hospitality saw no change in October.

The state’s estimated labor force, which includes people working plus those looking for work, decreased to 2,386,416, a drop of 4,810 people from September’s estimate but still 15,686 more than Sept. 2021.

Richland County’s unemployment rate increased to 3.6% from 3.1%, and Lexington County increased to 3.0% from 2.5%.

The Columbia metropolitan statistical area lost 900 jobs from September to October, while the Charleston/North Charleston area lost added 1,200 and Greenville/Anderson/Mauldin added 2,700, according to the report.