Department of Numbers

Columbia, South Carolina Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Columbia fell 0.0 percentage points in May 2023 to 3.1%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.0 percentage points lower than the South Carolina rate. The unemployment rate in Columbia peaked in November 2009 at 9.9% and is now 6.8 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.1% in September 2019, the unemployment rate has now grown by 1.0 percentage points. You can also compare Columbia unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate May 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.7% +0.3 +0.1
South Carolina 3.1% 0.0 -0.1
Columbia 3.1% 0.0 +0.1
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with May 2023 data as June metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Columbia, South Carolina, National

Columbia, South Carolina monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Columbia, South Carolina Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Columbia peaked in December 2009 at 36,526. There are now 24,007 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 8,399 in September 2019, the number of unemployed has now grown by 4,120. Columbia employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Columbia, South Carolina) is also available.

Unemployed Persons May 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Columbia 12,519 -59 +242

Number of Unemployed Persons

Columbia, South Carolina Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
South Carolina
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
Unemployed
June
2023
3.6%
May
2023
3.7% 3.1% 3.1% 12,519
April
2023
3.4% 3.1% 3.1% 12,578
March
2023
3.5% 3.2% 3.2% 12,658
February
2023
3.6% 3.2% 3.1% 12,352
January
2023
3.4% 3.2% 3.0% 12,004
December
2022
3.5% 3.3% 3.0% 11,952
November
2022
3.6% 3.3% 3.0% 11,964
October
2022
3.7% 3.3% 3.0% 11,991
September
2022
3.5% 3.3% 3.0% 12,006
August
2022
3.7% 3.3% 3.0% 11,983
July
2022
3.5% 3.2% 3.0% 11,970

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.