South Carolina’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from September to October at 3.3 percent, according to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce monthly report.

Lexington County had the second-lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.8 percent. Richland County’s unemployment rate of 3.3 percent (same as the statewide average) was the 17th lowest, of South Carolina’s 46 counties. Charleston County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent. Greenville County was third lowest at 2.9 percent.

Even though the state’s unemployment rate was unchanged, the number of people working in the state increased by 3,430 to a record level of 2,231,027.
South Carolina’s labor force was up by 2,909 to 2,307,247, according to S.C. DEW. The number of people unemployed decreased by 521 to 76,220.

The national unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in October, also unchanged from the September report.
Since October of 2017, 9,552 in South Carolina are working.

“South Carolina is enjoying the benefit of a strong economy coupled with simultaneous record high employment levels and a continued record low unemployment rate,” S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce director Cheryl Stanton said in a press release. “It is during these thriving times that our agency must work harder than ever to connect with individuals who have had challenges along the path to employment.”

The increase in employment was primarily due to changes in Leisure and Hospitality (+8,900); Professional and Business Services (+7,400); Trade Transportation, and Utilities (+3,700); Manufacturing (+1,000); and Financial Activities (+400).