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Counties with the highest unemployment rate in South Carolina
Unemployment rates, while significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, remain a subject of concern, notably as economic experts bandy around the idea of a potential recession by 2023. The last economic recession—the Great Recession of 2008-2010—sent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was not until the spring of 2019 that unemployment finally went down to the same level it sits at now.
As of October of this year, national unemployment is at 3.7%, 0.2% higher than in September. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate a rather sizable spectrum, ranging from just 2.0% in Minnesota, to 4.5% in Illinois and 4.7% in the District of Columbia. Further breakdown by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows yet another county-based spectrum within each state.
To that end, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rate in South Carolina using data from the BLS. Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in September 2022.
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#46. Charleston County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 217,108 (5,464 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 217,108 (5,464 unemployed)
#45. Hampton County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,929 (198 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,929 (198 unemployed)
#44. Lexington County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 149,435 (3,708 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 149,435 (3,708 unemployed)
#43. Newberry County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 19,028 (478 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 19,028 (478 unemployed)
#42. Greenville County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 259,168 (6,739 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 259,168 (6,739 unemployed)
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#41. Jasper County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 13,172 (353 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 13,172 (353 unemployed)
#40. Saluda County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: +0.3%
- Total labor force: 8,335 (226 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: +0.3%
- Total labor force: 8,335 (226 unemployed)
#39. Anderson County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 91,184 (2,545 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 91,184 (2,545 unemployed)
#38. Beaufort County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 76,117 (2,158 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 76,117 (2,158 unemployed)
#37. Dorchester County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 80,212 (2,210 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 80,212 (2,210 unemployed)
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#36. Oconee County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 33,985 (958 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 33,985 (958 unemployed)
#35. Pickens County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 57,763 (1,617 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 57,763 (1,617 unemployed)
#34. Spartanburg County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 157,044 (4,451 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 157,044 (4,451 unemployed)
#33. Aiken County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 73,249 (2,125 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 73,249 (2,125 unemployed)
#32. Berkeley County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 110,613 (3,225 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 110,613 (3,225 unemployed)
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#31. York County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 149,323 (4,375 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 149,323 (4,375 unemployed)
#30. Florence County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 64,313 (2,014 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 64,313 (2,014 unemployed)
#29. Kershaw County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 29,036 (904 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 29,036 (904 unemployed)
#28. Laurens County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 29,999 (935 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 29,999 (935 unemployed)
#27. Richland County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 194,700 (6,006 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 194,700 (6,006 unemployed)
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#26. Colleton County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 15,820 (510 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 15,820 (510 unemployed)
#25. Edgefield County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: +0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.7%
- Total labor force: 10,311 (337 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: +0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.7%
- Total labor force: 10,311 (337 unemployed)
#24. Calhoun County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 6,352 (219 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 6,352 (219 unemployed)
#23. Chesterfield County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 21,249 (730 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 21,249 (730 unemployed)
#22. Darlington County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 28,956 (974 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 28,956 (974 unemployed)
#21. Georgetown County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 25,892 (868 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 25,892 (868 unemployed)
#20. Lancaster County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 43,924 (1,483 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 43,924 (1,483 unemployed)
#19. Horry County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 150,911 (5,273 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 150,911 (5,273 unemployed)
#18. Abbeville County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 9,372 (342 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 9,372 (342 unemployed)
#17. Greenwood County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 29,436 (1,046 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 29,436 (1,046 unemployed)
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#16. McCormick County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 3,301 (120 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 3,301 (120 unemployed)
#15. Sumter County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 40,860 (1,502 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 40,860 (1,502 unemployed)
#14. Cherokee County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 24,368 (935 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 24,368 (935 unemployed)
#13. Clarendon County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 12,229 (467 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 12,229 (467 unemployed)
#12. Chester County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 13,457 (561 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 13,457 (561 unemployed)
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#11. Dillon County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 12,666 (547 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 12,666 (547 unemployed)
#10. Lee County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 6,315 (286 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 6,315 (286 unemployed)
#9. Williamsburg County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 10,685 (494 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 10,685 (494 unemployed)
#8. Barnwell County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 7,439 (346 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 7,439 (346 unemployed)
#7. Fairfield County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 9,130 (426 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 9,130 (426 unemployed)
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#6. Marion County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 12,729 (628 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 12,729 (628 unemployed)
#5. Union County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 11,468 (562 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 11,468 (562 unemployed)
#4. Orangeburg County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 32,385 (1,736 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 32,385 (1,736 unemployed)
#3. Allendale County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 2,305 (132 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 2,305 (132 unemployed)
#2. Bamberg County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,383 (249 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,383 (249 unemployed)
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#1. Marlboro County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 8,437 (537 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 8,437 (537 unemployed)
