South Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.2% in June after reaching a year-to-date high of 6.5% in May, the State Employment Security Commission reported today.
The state’s labor force totaled 2,143,200, down 7,600 from the May level. The number of unemployed in the state declined 7,000 to 132,200 in June. The national unemployment rate held steady at 5.5% in June.
The number of non-farm jobs in South Carolina dropped 6,400 in June with the majority of the job losses occurring in Government and Construction.
In the public sector, 3,500 jobs were cut in June as state and local schools released non-teaching staff for the summer recess. Construction lost another 3,200 jobs in June as the nationwide housing crisis continued its grip on the industry. Construction jobs are now running nearly 11% below the year-ago level. Professional and Business Services trimmed 1,700 jobs, mostly in temporary help businesses. Retail Trade was down 400 jobs in June, and Manufacturing reported 200 fewer workers during the month. On the plus side, Leisure and Hospitality posted a modest increase of 1,700 jobs, and Financial Activities and Other Services each saw gains of 900.
The job count, at 1,970,900, was 4,500 higher than June of last year.
Despite the drop in the jobless rate, the South Carolina economy continues to struggle. With no end in sight to the housing slump and continuing increases in fuel prices, we can expect unemployment to remain at a high level for the foreseeable future.
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