| Unemployment in SC MSAs in November | ||
|---|---|---|
| MSA | Unemployment rate in November | October unemployment rate |
| Greenville-Mauldin | 3.60% | 3.50% |
| Columbia | 3.90% | 3.80% |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 4.00% | 4.00% |
| Florence | 4.30% | 4.30% |
Source: SC Department of Employment and Workforce
South Carolina’s unemployment rate rose from 4.2% in October to 4.4% in November.
The seasonally adjusted monthly survey by the SC Department of Employment and Workforce estimated that the number of South Carolinians working decreased by 63,843 people in November to 2,223,349. This is also a reduction of 103,472 people in November 2019.
Unemployment estimates have increased 1,642 to 102,186 people, an increase of 45,474 over last year.
The state’s workforce, or people working more unemployed looking for work, decreased 62,201 from October to 2,325,535 people. That’s a decrease of 57,998 people in November 2019.
Nationally, the unemployment rate fell from 6.9% in October to 6.7% in November.
“There is no doubt that our country and state continue to struggle with record unemployment, but South Carolina’s unemployment rate is staying stable, with a slight increase from 4.2% in October to 4.4% in November” said Dan Ellzey, executive director of DEW, in a statement. “It will take courage and tenacity to fully recover, not only for employers to continue to find innovative ways to make their workplaces safe, but also for job seekers who are being challenged now more than ever to rethink job options. employment and unique career opportunities. ”
From November 2019 to November 2020, South Carolina’s economy lost 65,800 seasonally adjusted non-agricultural jobs, according to DEW, although 16,300 non-agricultural jobs were earned month-over-month. This included 4,600 jobs in the commerce, transportation and utilities industry and 3,800 in leisure and hospitality. The government lost 600 jobs, while financial activities lost 200.
Unemployment in the metropolitan statistical areas of Columbia and Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin increased in seasonally unadjusted numbers from October to November, while the Charleston-North Charleston and Florence MSAs saw no change.
Unemployment rose to 4.4% in November from 4.3% in October in Richland County and to 3.1% from 3% in Lexington County. In November 2019, unemployment was 2.8% in Richland County and 2.1% in Lexington County.
Charleston County was one of six counties with falling unemployment from month to month, with the rate falling from 4.2% in October to 4.1% in November. In November 2019, the municipality had an unemployment rate of 1.8%.
The week ended on December 12, in which 3,723 initial unemployment insurance claims were filed in SC, marked the last week of extending unemployment insurance in the state. Two federal benefit programs will expire later this month.