Unemployment Rate Ticks Up in Richland, Lexington

While the unemployment rate dipped on slightly in the state for the fourth consecutive month, Lexington and Richland counties both saw a slight increase in its numbers.

According to statistics released Friday by the S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce (DEW), South Carolina's unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent in November from 8.6 percent in October.

In South Carolina, the number of unemployed people fell by 6,434 in November. The number of employed people rose by 9,758. And, the state's labor force ticked up slightly to 2.1 million people.

Lexington County's, which has the state's lowest unemployment rate, saw its number jump from 6.2 percent in October to 6.3 percent in November. More than 8,358 people in Lexington County currently are unemployed, according to DEW.

In Richland County, unemployment numbers jumped from 7.7 percent in October to 7.8 percent in November. More than 14,082 people in Richland County currently are unemployed, according to DEW.

Marion County had the state's highest rate, at 15.8 percent.

The national unemployment rate fell in November to 7.7 percent from October's 7.9 rate, after a 350,000 drop in the labor force.