The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.6 percent in September from a revised August level of 6.3 percent.
The number of unemployed persons was 144,388, an increase of 6,437 over the month.
The number of South Carolinians working ticked up by 2,527 people to 2,038,393. Over the month, the labor force increased by 8,964 people to a level of 2,182,781.
Dillon County’s unemployment rate was down to 9.6 percent in September. The county was seventh in the state in unemployment. Orangeburg County ranked first at 12.6 percent.
Since September 2013, 21,259 people have found work, and the labor force has increased by nearly 6,640 people. The state’s unemployment rate has declined by 0.7 percentage points since September 2013.
Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased to 5.9 percent in September from 6.1 percent in August.