S.C. unemployment edges down to 11% in September, 8% in Beaufort

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The South Carolina labor market was barely able to edge out the growth in its workforce for a net gain of 652 jobs in September.

The total employment increase was 6,219.

In all, unemployment edged down to 11% from a revised rate of 11.1% in August (previously thought to be 11%,) a year ago it was 12.2%. Nationally, the September unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.6%.

The government sector (+14,400) accounted for most of the growth as education services hired for the school year, however, the federal government cut some 1,600 jobs as did the private sector, cutting 12,600 jobs, the majority of which were in tourism and hospitality services.

Locally Beaufort County saw unemployment a dip from 9% to 8% (the 2nd best in the state, 0.1% points behind Lexington) and Jasper County was at 9.3% from 10.5%.

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