Jobless rate lowest in decade

Bamberg County’s unemployment rate dropped to its lowest point in more than 11 years last month. Orangeburg County had the lowest rate in nearly a decade.

Bamberg County had the state’s second-highest jobless rate at 7.4 percent in November, down from 9.1 percent in October. This was the lowest rate seen in Bamberg County since May 2005, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Orangeburg County saw its November jobless rate drop to 7.2 percent. The rate was 9.4 percent in October.

That’s the lowest unemployment rate in the county since May 2007, according to the BLS.

The county had the fourth-highest unemployment rate in South Carolina in November. The state has 46 counties.

Calhoun County had the 11th highest unemployment rate in the state. The rate fell from 6.3 percent in October to 5.3 percent in November. This is the lowest rate the county has seen since April 2008.

Local unemployment usually declines when seasonal industries such as Husqvarna and Allied Air begin ramping up manufacturing operations.

The state’s employment level in November surpassed 2.2 million people for the first time in state history, as the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent from 4.7 percent in October.

November’s unemployment rate is the lowest in nearly 16 years. It also marks the seventh consecutive month the unemployment rate has dropped.

“South Carolina’s workforce is at record levels and growing every month,” DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton said in a prepared statement. “Our citizens are reaping the benefits as the state’s existing businesses grow and new jobs come to South Carolina.”

Nationally, the November jobless rate decreased to 4.6 percent from 4.9 percent in October.

The November jobless rates in other area counties were:

• Allendale: 7.3 percent

• Barnwell: 5.8 percent

• Dorchester: 3.6 percent

• Lexington: 3.3 percent

@OCDC_SC Tweets

Media Contact

Follow Us

Jobless rate lowest in decade