Daniel Prince
Union's rate jumps from 4.9% to 5.6%
The SC Department of Employment and Workforce has released the October jobless numbers, and it shows that the unemployment rate is on the rise across the state. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate crept higher in October, from 3.2% to 3.3%. Every county saw an increase in the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in October.
Union County’s rate jumped from 4.9% in September to 5.6% in October. That is the same level as October 2021. Union County’s labor force grew by 67 people in October, while 12 fewer people were listed as employed than in September. Union County has the highest unemployment rate in the Upstate and is tied with Marion County for the 5th-highest unemployment rate in the state, trailing only Marlboro, Bamberg, Allendale, and Orangeburg counties.
Compared to October 2021, Union County has 68 more people in the labor force and 74 more people working, with four fewer people counted as unemployed.
The November report will be released later this month.