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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

South Carolina

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Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 5,000 jobs (0.2 percent) during April. The unemployment rate is currently 4.8 percent, decreasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "South Carolina's monthly employment growth accelerated in April. Professional and business services employment saw a resurgence during the month, after declining over the last year." – Bethany Greene
  • Payroll employment in South Carolina increased by 5,000 jobs (0.2 percent), on net, during April. The largest job gains were in professional and business services (3,600 jobs) and education and health services (1,300 jobs).
  • On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 21,200 jobs (0.9 percent). Annual job growth was led by education & health services (9,100 jobs), government (4,900 jobs) and construction (4,000 jobs). Overall employment gains were partially offset by annual losses in professional and business services (3,700 jobs) and information (1,400 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in South Carolina is currently 4.8 percent, decreasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point in April. The labor force continues to grow, adding 4,200 participants over the month.

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

  • Residential permitting activity increased 16.6 percent from February 2026 to March 2026 and increased 7.7 percent from March 2025 to March 2026.
  • 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