Unemployment Up in SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina’s jobless rate was up slightly last month, to 10.8 percent – ending five months of decline.

The state Department of Employment and Workforce said Friday the labor force decreased again – for the fifth-straight month. July’s rate  was up from 10.7 percent in June and compares with a national jobless rate of 9.5 percent for July.

The total number of jobs in the state decreased more than 30,000 for the month, led by a seasonal reduction of education workers and the loss of about 2,000 temporary Census jobs. Since July 2009, however, 18,000 jobs have been added to the state’s economy.

Marion County had the highest unemployment rate with nearly one in five residents looking for work. Lexington County had the lowest rate at 8.2 percent.

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