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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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South Carolina

aerial view of South Carolina

Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 12,500 jobs (0.5 percent) in September. The unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 4.0 percent.

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  • "Monthly job growth in South Carolina was robust in September. Leisure and hospitality and education and health services experienced especially strong job gains." – Bethany Greene
  • Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 12,500 jobs (0.5 percent), on net, during September. Job gains were led by leisure and hospitality (5,700 jobs), education and health services (4,300 jobs) and professional and business services (2,900 jobs). A few industries saw declines: government (1,900 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (800 jobs) and information services (400 jobs).
  • On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 55,200 jobs (2.3 percent). Annual job growth was led by leisure and hospitality (17,100 jobs), education & health services (11,300 jobs) and professional and business services (8,000 jobs). The only industry with annual job losses was information services (2,200 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in South Carolina is currently 4.0 percent, decreasing by 0.1 percentage point in September. The labor force grew by 4,100 participants.

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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