Unemployment declines across The T&D Region
By T&D Staff Tuesday, June 26, 2007Unemployment rates in The T&D Region dropped in May, following the state trend.
Orangeburg County’s unemployment rate dropped from 7.5 percent in April to 6.9 percent, according to figures from the S.C. Employment Security Commission. It had the 17th highest unemployment rate of the state’s 46 counties.
Bamberg County’s unemployment rate declined from 8.1 percent in April to 7.6 percent in May. It ranked 11th in the state Calhoun County’s unemployment rate dropped from 5.5 percent to 4.9 percent. It ranked 34th.
South Carolina’s unemployment rate declined from 5.8 percent to 5.4 percent from April to May. It was the sixth straight monthly decline in the state’s jobless figure.
The number of nonfarm jobs in the state increased 13,300 in May, which is normal for this time of year, according to the commission. The largest gain was in the leisure and hospitality industry, which added 6,100 jobs.
The national unemployment rate remained 4.5 percent in May.
Other regional unemployment rates:
Barnwell County – Declined from 8.8 percent to 8 percent. It ranked eighth in the state.
Dorchester County – Declined from 4.1 percent to 3.9 percent. It ranked 41st in the state.
Lexington County – Declined from 3.8 percent to 3.6 percent. It tied with Charleston and Beaufort counties for the lowest unemployment rate in the state.
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