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Unemployment rate falls to 2.6% in October

Staff Report //November 19, 2019//

Unemployment rate falls to 2.6% in October

Staff Report //November 19, 2019//

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South Carolina’s unemployment rate fell again in October, dipping to 2.6%. In September, the state’s unemployment rate fell below 3% for the first time, dropping to 2.9%.

The number of estimated South Carolinians working increased by more than 7,100 people from September to a record high of 2,318,762, according to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, while unemployment estimates decreased by more than 6,800 to 62,636 people.

The number of people working in the state has increased by 64,392 since October 2018, while unemployment estimates have decreased by 12,567 people in the 12-month period.

The national unemployment rate edged up to 3.6% from 3.5% in September.

For the month, the leisure and hospitality industry saw an increase of 2,300 jobs, while utilities saw a gain of 2,200. Professional and business services jobs dipped by 2,600, while manufacturing jobs dropped by 700.

Despite the seasonally adjusted statewide drop, unemployment ticked up in every S.C. county. In Richland County, unemployment increased to 2% from 1.8% in September, down from 3.2% in October 2018. Lexington County saw a slight increase to 1.7% from 1.5% in September, down from 2.7% a year ago.

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