The state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate held firm at 5.3 percent in June, reflecting no change since April. An estimated 115,583 people were unemployed, showing an increase of 630 people over the month while the number of employed decreased by 847 people totaling  2,050,128. Over the month, the labor force declined by 217 people to 2,165,711.

Dillon County’s rate was 8.6 percent, up from 8.0 percent the previous month. The county ranked fifth in the state in unemployment.

Since June 2013, the state’s unemployment rate fell by 2.5 percentage points. More than 35,000 people have found work, and the labor force has decreased by 20,082 people. Nationally, the unemployment rate declined to 6.1 percent in June from 6.3 percent in May.

June’s seasonally adjusted, non-farm payroll employment reported its fourth seasonal employment increase this year with an increase of 4,400 over the month to reach the level of 1,933,100.

“35,000 more South Carolinians are working today than a year ago, and this is more evidence that South Carolina’s economy continues to strengthen,” said Cheryl M. Stanton, executive director of the SC Department of Employment and Workforce. “With nearly 60,000 available jobs, the future of the Palmetto State is bright.”

* Upticks in employment were in Professional and Business Services (+2,700); Education and Health Services (+ 1,600); Leisure and Hospitality (+ 1,600); and Other Services (+1,000). Smaller increases occurred in Manufacturing (+300) and Information (+200).

* Drops occurred in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,500); Construction (-600); Government (-600); and Financial Services (-400).
Between June 2013 and June 2014, seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs increased 42,500.

* Industries with noticeable growth were Professional and Business Services (+11,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+8,100); Manufacturing (+7,800); Education and Health Services (+7,200); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+5,200). Government grew (+2,300), along with Construction (+1,500) and Information (+600).

* Declines over the year were reported in Financial Activities (-1,500) and Other Services (-100).

The not-seasonally adjusted, non-farm payroll employment in June increased slightly adding 3,500 over the month to a total of 1,949,600.

Growth was focused in Leisure and Hospitality (+6,600); Professional and Business Services (+3,400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,300); Manufacturing (+1,200); Construction (+900); and Other Services (+800). Other increases were seen in Information (+200) and Natural Resources and Mining (+100). Drops were reported in Government (-9,900) and Education and Health Services (-1,900) as public and private educational institutions continue their usual summer decline.

Since June 2013, not-seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs were up 41,600. Robust annual gains came from Professional and Business Services (+11,300); Leisure and Hospitality (+7,600); Manufacturing (+7,400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+6,200); and Education and Health Services (+6,200). Government (+3,100); Construction (+1,800); and Information (+600) also had upticks. Financial Activities (-2,000) and Other Services (-600) registered declines over the year.