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South Carolina

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Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 8,100 jobs (0.3 percent) in April. The unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.2 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "South Carolina had yet another strong month of job growth, adding 8,100 jobs in April. The state accounted for 4.6 percent of the national job growth in April, far outpacing their 1.5 percent share of national employment." — Laura Ullrich
  • Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 8,100 jobs (0.3 percent), on net, in April. The trade, transportation and utilities sector had the largest increase in jobs month-over month (3,000 jobs) followed by education and health services (1,200 jobs) and government (1,100 jobs). Additionally, leisure and hospitality (800 jobs), manufacturing (500 jobs), financial activities (400 jobs), and professional and business services (300 jobs) each saw additional jobs added in April. Payroll employment remained flat in the construction sector. No sectors saw job declines in April.
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 77,300 jobs (3.4 percent), on net.
  • The labor force in South Carolina continues to grow, increasing by 6,700 in April. Strikingly, 7.7 percent of national labor force growth in April occurred in South Carolina. The unemployment rate in South Carolina increased slightly to 3.2 percent in April, up from 2.9 percent a year ago.

Housing Market icon showing a picture of a house Housing Market Conditions

  • Residential permitting activity increased 5.5 percent in South Carolina from January to February and was up 36.3 percent from its level a year ago.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values in South Carolina appreciated 7.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2023.
Snapshot Resources
  • Term Definitions

    Payroll Employment
    The number of nonfarm jobs (persons on payrolls) according to where those jobs are located.

    Unemployment Rate
    The number of unemployed persons (those not employed but available and searching for work) as a percent of the civilian labor force (the total number of employed plus unemployed persons).

    Industry Structure
    A breakdown of total nonfarm jobs by industry. Percentages sum to 100 percent.

    Industry Growth
    The percentage change in jobs in each industry from a year ago.

    Building Permits
    The number of privately owned single-family and multi-family units authorized in permit-issuing places.

    House Price Index
    A repeat sales index, measuring average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same single-family properties.

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