How low can it go?
South Carolina’s unemployment rate in November was 5.5 percent, a level not seen since August 2001.
The state’s jobless rate fell one-tenth of a point from October, the sixth consecutive month the rate decreased.
The number of employed South Carolinians rose by more than 2,740 people in November to give the state a labor force of 2,261,406. Employment increased an estimated 71,202 people over the past year, a record increase for the state.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5 percent.
Unemployment fell in all of South Carolina’s 46 counties.
Greenville County’s unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent in November, the third lowest in the state behind Charleston and Lexington counties. Greenville County’s unemployment rate was 4.7 in October.
Spartanburg County’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, down from 5.3 percent. Anderson County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.0 percent in October to 4.6 percent in November. Pickens County’s rate fell from 5.3 percent to 5.1 percent. Oconee County’s rate fell by one-tenth of a percent to 5.2 percent.
Sectors with the biggest increases in employment in South Carolina were professional and business services, construction and education and health services.
For the detailed report, go to bit.ly/SC-DEW-november.
