SC jobless rate drops to 15-year low

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased in June to 5.4 percent from 5.6 percent in May, marking its lowest level since July 2001, according to a report from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce

The state’s unemployment rate has averaged 5.6 percent for the first six months of 2016, the report showed.

Nationally, the unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 4.9 percent in June as many people entered the labor force, it said.

South Carolina’s employment level reached 2,185,181 – a historic high – gaining slightly in June as 109 people found work.

The number of unemployed decreased in June by nearly 4,270 to 125,591.

During the last year, 67,545 job seekers found work, and the level of unemployed individuals decreased by an estimated 7,250. Since June 2015, the labor force has grown by nearly 60,295 people.

South Carolina saw gains in professional and business services (up 3,200); government (up 2,600); and financial activities (up 1,400). Additional growth was also reported in trade, transportation, and utilities (up 200); education and health services (up 200); and information (up 100).

Industries reporting declines were manufacturing (down 700); leisure and hospitality (down 700); other services (down 700); and construction (down 400).

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 1:41 PM with the headline "SC jobless rate drops to 15-year low."