The State Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) reported a slight increase in the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent in June from 8.0 percent in May. That puts the state above the national rate of 7.6 percent.
The Upstate followed the trend with unemployment rising slightly in Anderson (8.2 percent), Greenville (7.1 percent) and Spartanburg (8.8 percent) counties. Overall unemployment in the Greenville metro area was 7.4 percent, up from 6.4 percent in May.
Declines statewide came from education and health services, financial activities, government and other services. However, June showed the largest monthly gain in South Carolina’s workforce since October 2006.
Seasonally adjusted numbers showed 31,500 more non-farm jobs than the same period last year. Figures that were not seasonally adjusted for changes in tourism and education activities showed jobs increased by 10,100, the largest May-to-June increase since the year 2000.
