September’s South Carolina unemployment picture

The Department of Employment and Workforce newest employment report shows the number of South Carolinians working in September rose to an all-time high while the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped below 5 percent for the first time since April 2001.  And, for a rare time, the Oconee County jobless rate fell below 5%—to 4.9%.  That’s one-tenth of a percentage point higher than its neighbor to the east, Pickens County. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate this month of 4.9% in Oconee County is the lowest it has been since March 2001. South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in September from 5.1 percent in August. The state’s unemployment rate also dropped below the national rate for the first time since April 2014.  The September report showed that 33,654 Oconeeans are gainfully employed, 1,720 county residents are actively looking for work.