South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell for the sixth consecutive month, declining from 5.6 percent in October to 5.5 percent in November, a level not seen since August 2001.
The number of people working in South Carolina climbed in November, increasing by 9,147 to a record level of 2,137,493. Employment increased an estimated 71,202 people over the year, an all-time record increase for the state.
The number of unemployed individuals decreased in November by 2,743 to 123,913. Since November 2014, the level of unemployed has decreased by 22,664. The labor force increased by 6,404 to 2,261,406 people. Since November 2014, the labor force has grown substantially by nearly 48,538.
Dillon County’s unemployment rate fell from 8.4 percent to 7.7 percent.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5 percent over the month.
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted1)
November seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payrolls increased by 5,600 over the month to reach the level of 2,024,900.
* South Carolina’s most noteable increases occurred in Professional and Business Services (+1,800); Construction (+1,100); and Education and Health Services (+1,000).
* Additional gains were seen in Leisure and Hospitality (+900); Manufacturing (+800); Financial Activities (+500); and Government (+500).
* Industries reporting decreases were Information (-400); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-300); and Other Services (-300).
Compared to November 2014, seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 52,100.
* The largest increases were reported in Professional and Business Services (+15,400); Education and Health Services (+11,300); Leisure and Hospitality (+10,000); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+9,200); Construction (+6,800); Government (+3,600); and Other Services (+800).
* Industries reporting declines were Financial Activities (-2,500); Manufacturing (-1,500); and Information (-800).
Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
The not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll employment in November 2015 reported an over-the-month increase of 7,400 to a level of 2,034,400. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities rose by 4,200 jobs as the trade industry begins its seasonal hiring period. Additional upturns in employment were due to increases in Government (+2,300); Manufacturing (+1,400); Education and Health Services (+1,100); Professional and Business Services (+900); Financial Activities (+600); and Other Services (+500).
The most significant loss was reported in Leisure and Hospitality (-3,200), followed by smaller declines in Construction (-300) and Information (-100).
From November 2014 to November 2015, not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs were up 52,500 overall in South Carolina’s workforce. Industries marking strong annual gains came from Professional and Business Services (+15,500); Education and Health Services (+11,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+9,900); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+9,300); Construction (+6,800); Government (+3,700); and Other Services (+800). Declines were seen in Financial Activities (-2,500); Manufacturing (-1,400); Information (-800); and Natural Resources and Mining (-200).