In July, South Carolina’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.7 percent from 5.3 percent in June, marking a shift upward after little change during the second quarter of the year. The number of unemployed persons grew by 9,124  to 124,670. Working South Carolinians dropped by 6,442 people to 2,043,602. From June to July, the labor force noted an increase of 2,682 to a level of 2,168,272.
Dillon County’s rate rose from 8.6 percent in June to 9.3 percent in July. The county tied for sixth in the state in unemployment with Clarendon County.  Nationally, the unemployment rate increased to 6.2 percent in July from 6.1 percent in June.

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted)
July’s seasonally adjusted, non-farm payrolls fell by 4,600 over the month to a level of 1,928,400.
* Drops in Professional and Business Services (-3,800), Education and Health Services (-1,700), Manufacturing (-1,000), Information (-500), and Other Services (-300) fueled the overall decrease.
* The largest job gain was in Leisure and Hospitality (+1,000) with additional smaller increases in Construction (+600); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+600); Financial Activities (+400); and Government (+100).
Between July 2013 and July 2014, seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs were up 32,300.
* Industries with noticeable gains were Leisure and Hospitality (+7,800); Manufacturing (+6,800); Professional and Business Services (+5,800); Education and Health Services (+5,100); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,800). Government climbed (+2,100) along with Construction (+1,400). 
* Financial Activities (-1,200); Other Services (-200); and Information (-200) experienced declines over the year.

Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
July’s non-farm payroll employment (not seasonally adjusted) decreased 20,900 since June 2014 to 1,928,500. Seasonal layoffs and school closings are traditional this time of year.
Although July’s overall total employment declined, modest gains were recorded in Leisure and Hospitality (+1,700); Construction (+300); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+100). 
Losses were noted in Government (-15,100); Professional and Business Services (-3,800); Manufacturing (-1,700); and Education and Health Services (-1,600) as public and private educational institutions continue their summer decline. Modest dips occurred in Information (-500) as well as Other Services (-300).
The over the year, not seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs were up 37,500 overall. Industries marking firm annual gains were Leisure and Hospitality (+9,600); Professional and Business Services (+7,800); Manufacturing (+7,100); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+5,700); Education and Health Services (+5,400); Government (+2,400); and Construction (+1,700). 
There was a large decrease in Financial Activities (-2,000) and smaller losses in Other Services (-200) and Information (-100) over the year.