Number of S.C. workers increases to record level

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Editor's note: Updated March 25 to include Richland and Lexington County numbers.

The number of people working in South Carolina increased in February by nearly 7,000 people to a record 2,267,211, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged for the eighth consecutive month at 3.2%.

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce said that the state’s labor force increased by 6,611 workers to 2,341,708.

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% from January’s estimate of 4%.

The state manufacturing industry, along with education and health services, saw an increase of 1,400 workers, while the leisure and hospitality industry saw a drop of 2,300.

In Richland County, unemployment fell to 3.1% in February from 3.7% in January and was down from 4.5.% in February 2018. In Lexington County, unemployment dipped to 2.7% in February from 2.9% in January and was down from 3.9% in February 2019.