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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

South Carolina

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Payroll employment in South Carolina declined by 5,100 jobs (0.2 percent) during February. The unemployment rate is currently 5.0 percent, increasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "Employment conditions in South Carolina declined in February. Apart from solid job gains in manufacturing, most industries saw either flat or declining employment." – Bethany Greene
  • Total payroll employment in South Carolina declined by 5,100 jobs (0.2 percent), on net, during February. The largest job losses were in leisure and hospitality (3,000 jobs) and trade, transportation and utilities (2,400 jobs). Job losses were partially offset by gains in manufacturing employment (2,600 jobs).
  • On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 20,200 jobs (0.8 percent). Annual job growth was led by education & health services (8,700 jobs), government (5,300 jobs) and construction (3,900 jobs). Three industries saw declines: professional and business services (5,100 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (1,700 jobs) and information services (900 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in South Carolina is currently 5.0 percent, increasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point in February. The labor force grew robustly, adding 11,600 participants over the month.

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

  • Residential permitting activity decreased 5.0 percent from November 2025 to December 2025 and decreased 10.2 percent from December 2024 to December 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values increased in Q4 of 2025 by 0.3 percent compared to Q3 of 2025. Compared to Q4 of 2024, home values grew 3.7 percent in Q4 of 2025.
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