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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

South Carolina

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Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 10,800 jobs (0.4 percent) in August. The unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "South Carolina's job growth accelerated in August, adding 10,800 jobs on net. Job gains were concentrated mostly in leisure and hospitality and professional and business services." – Bethany Greene
  • Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 10,800 jobs (0.4 percent), on net, during August. Job gains were led by leisure and hospitality (4,000 jobs) and professional and business services (3,900 jobs). However, several sectors saw slight declines or flat employment growth.
  • On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 38,600 jobs (1.6 percent). Annual job growth was led by leisure and hospitality (10,300 jobs), education & health services (7,900 jobs) and government (5,900 jobs). The only industry with annual job losses was information (2,300 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in South Carolina is currently 4.1 percent, decreasing by 0.1 percentage point in August.

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

  • Residential permitting activity in South Carolina decreased 16.1 percent from July 2026 to August 2026 and increased 1.7 percent from August 2025 to August 2026.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values increased in Q2 of 2026 by 1.2 percent compared to Q1 of 2026. Compared to Q2 of 2025, home values grew 3.8 percent in Q2 of 2026.
Snapshot Resources

  • 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