South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.7 percent from 6.0 percent, recording its lowest level since February 2008. This is the fourth consecutive month in which the rate has declined.
Dillon County’s rate dropped from 8.4 to 8.1 percent.
The unemployment rate has dropped 1.1 percent since May. This is the largest four-month drop since the unemployment rate dropped 1.7 percent from June to September 1983. Employment hit a new high with 2,121,326 people working, rising 7,092 from August to September. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 6,607 to 128,508, the lowest level since April 2008. The labor force showed little change, increasing slightly by 485 to 2,249,834.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.1 percent.
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted)
Another record level for seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment was reached in September. Employment increased 6,300 to reach 2,016,700.
* Industries with the largest increases over the month included Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+2,200); Professional and Business Services (+1,800); Education and Health Services (+1,500); Other Services (+1,400); and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,300).
* Information (+200) and Government (+200) recorded gains, while Construction remained steady.
* Industries reporting decreases were Manufacturing (-1,300) and Financial Activities (-900).
Compared to September 2014, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 63,400.
* The largest annual growth occurred in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+15,000); Leisure and Hospitality (+14,200); Professional and Business Services (+12,200); Education and Health Services (+9,500); Construction (+7,400); Government (+4,100); and Other Services (+1,900). A smaller gain was noted in Information (+400).
* Industries reporting declines were Financial Activities (-700) and Manufacturing (-300).
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
September’s not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 10,100 to reach a level of 2,017,800. Government rose by about 14,700 jobs with local public schools accounting for most of the expansion. Also contributing to the rise in employment were Education and Health Services (+3,900); Professional and Business Services (+1,700); and Other Services (+1,000). The most significant loss was reported in Leisure and Hospitality (-7,900) with other declines reported in Financial Activities (-1,200); Manufacturing (-1,100); Construction (-400); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-300); Information (-200); and Natural Resources and Mining (-100).
From September 2014 to September 2015, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 61,400 overall. Industries marking strong annual gains were Professional and Business Services (+14,100); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+13,600); Leisure and Hospitality (+12,300); Education and Health Services (+9,700); Construction (+6,600); Government (+4,800); Other Services (+1,500); and Information (+200). Declines were seen in Financial Activities (-900); Natural Resources and Mining (-300); and Manufacturing (-200).