South Carolina Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for South Carolina fell 0.0 percentage points in October 2023 to 2.9%. The state unemployment rate was 1.0 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in South Carolina peaked in December 2009 at 12.1% and is now 9.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.4% in September 2019, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.5 percentage points. You can also see South Carolina unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.1	+0.2
South Carolina	2.9%	0.0	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with October data as November state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: South Carolina, National

South Carolina monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to October 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

South Carolina Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in South Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 271,601. There are now 199,715 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 71,647 in September 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 239. South Carolina job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
South Carolina	71,886	+239	-6,188

Number of Unemployed Persons