Unemployment falls to 5.1% in S.C. in March

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South Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.1% in March from 5.2% in February as requirements for weekly work searches resumed this month.

Beginning April 18, claimants are required to do two weekly work searches to remain eligible for unemployment benefits. The searches can be completed online or via smartphone app, and a tutorial is available on the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce’s website at www.dew.sc.gov/individuals/find-job.

In March, the number of South Carolinians working increased by 14,076 people from February estimates to 2,267,328, according to DEW’s seasonally adjusted monthly survey of households. Unemployment estimates for March decreased by 3,145 from February to 120,783.

The number of people working represented a decrease of 29,995 from March 2020, while the unemployment estimate was an increase of 50,939 from March 2020.

The state’s estimated labor force, or people working plus unemployed people looking for work, increased to 2,388,111, an increase of 10,931 from February and of 38,578 from March 2020.

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped to 6% in March from 6.2% in February.

S.C. industries reporting gains in March included construction, which added 1,800 jobs, transportation and utilities (1,600), and manufacturing (1,000). Decreases occurred in education and health, which lost 600 jobs, and information, which lost 300. The leisure and hospitality industry remained flat, according to DEW data.

From March 2020 to March 2021, South Carolina’s economy has lost 66,600 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.

The Columbia metropolitan statistical area lost 14,500 jobs in the 12-month period and 600 from February to March 2021. Charleston/North Charleston lost 17,100 jobs in the 12-month period and 500 month-to-month. Greenville/Anderson/Mauldin lost 16,100 jobs year-to-year but gained 1,300 from February to March 2021, while Spartanburg lost 3,800 jobs in the 12-month period and gained 300 month-to-month.

Employment fell in every S.C. county from February to March, dropping from 5.3% to 4.9% in Richland County and from 4% to a state-low 3.7% in Lexington County. Unemployment in March 2020 stood at 3% in Richland County and 2.5% in Lexington County.