Lexington County Unemployment Rate Dips

The jobless rate in Lexington decreased to 8.1 percent in September, from 8.5 percent the previous month, according to statistics released Friday from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

This September's rate nearly mirrors the rate for September of last year, when the jobless rate was an even 8 percent.

Statewide, the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 11 percent from 11.1 percent in August, DEW reported. The national rate remained unchanged at 9.1 percent.

Lexington's rate remains the lowest in the state. In surrounding counties, rates varied widely, with Orangeburg, Newberry, and Calhoun counties suffering ongoing, double-digit jobless rates. However, only Aiken County saw an increase in September.

Border-county rates in September (August rates in parentheses):

• Richland: 9.6 (10.2)
• Aiken: 9.6 (9.3)
• Saluda: 8.6 (9.8)
• Newberry: 10.5 (11.1)
• Calhoun:: 13.6 (13.7)
• Orangeburg: 15.9 (16.3)

"This organization (DEW) recognizes the impact it has on the lives of South Carolinians. We are working everyday to increase efficiency, streamline our processes and eliminate errors so that the men and women in our state can find a job." DEW Executive Director Abraham Turner said in a release. "I am optimistic that employment in South Carolina will continue to improve."

For the fifth straight month, the state’s labor force increased and is now estimated at 2,169,414. September saw a rise in employment of 7,061, bringing the total number employed to 1,931,654.

Nonfarm payroll employment declined for the third consecutive month, falling from August to September by 10,600. Manufacturing, which has seen gains in 10 of the last 12 months, declined 2,000 in September, but is up 9,500 from a year ago.

Increases were recorded in Government (+9,700), mainly in education services, and Professional and Business Services (+2,400). As is usual this time of year, Leisure and Hospitality experienced a drop of 12,200 in employment, DEW reported. Declines were also seen in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-4,400) and Manufacturing employment (-2,000).

Over-the-year, nonfarm payroll employment continues to grow by 11,900, DEW stated. "This upward trend was mainly caused by over-the-year advances in Manufacturing, Professional and Business Services, and Health Care and Social Assistance," the department stated.

The Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online Index reflected that the number of online ads in South Carolina increased by 800 (to 46,000 ads) from August to September. Nationally, there was a decline of 43,500 ads posted September. South Carolina’s neighboring states experiencing a similar upward trend include North Carolina (+200) and Florida (+1,400). Georgia’s online ads fell 1,500.