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South Carolina

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Payroll employment in South Carolina declined slightly in February, losing 500 jobs (0.0 percent). The unemployment rate is currently at 4.2 percent, declining slightly by 0.1 percentage points.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "After several months of solid job growth, South Carolina's labor market weakened in February, with slight declines in payroll employment." – Bethany Greene
  • Payroll employment in South Carolina declined slightly in February, losing 500 jobs, on net, during the month. These job losses were mainly concentrated in the government sector (2,500 jobs). Employment also declined in construction (800 jobs) and manufacturing (800 jobs). These job losses were partially offset by jobs gains in education and health services (1,000 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (800 jobs) and professional and business services (700 jobs).
  • On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 47,300 jobs (2 percent). Annual job growth was led by education and health services (14,400 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (6,900 jobs) and construction (6,800 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in South Carolina is currently at 4.2 percent, declining slightly by 0.1 percentage points in February, but up 0.7 percentage points from last year.

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

  • Residential permitting activity shrunk by 1.7 percent from January 2025 to February 2025 and decreased by 7.4 percent from February 2024 to February 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values increased in Q4 of 2024 by 1.5 percent compared to Q3 of 2024. Compared to Q4 of 2023, home values grew by 5.6 percent in Q4 of 2024.
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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Joseph Mengedoth