What is the unemployment rate in South Carolina right now?
Updated May. 22, 2026Refreshed monthly
Unemployment in South Carolina was at 4.8% in April 2026. That's a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the month before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It's a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.
In April 2026,
4.8%
of the labor force was unemployed in South Carolina
April 2026 had a
-0.1
percentage point change from the previous month
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the unemployment rate through a monthly survey to identify the civilian labor force, meaning people who are employed or actively seeking work. It counts part-time workers as employed. It excludes people who aren’t actively looking for work, such as retirees or discouraged workers.
In April 2026, the unemployment rate in South Carolina was higher than the US overall.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to April 2026
Unemployment rates differ within states due to various factors. Counties with many job opportunities and different industries often have lower unemployment rates. In rural areas or in places where industries are shrinking, the rate can be higher. Seasonal work in industries like tourism or farming can lead to unemployment rising or falling. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.
What counties in South Carolina have the highest and lowest unemployment?
Understanding unemployment rates in different regions helps address economic disparities and foster growth. In South Carolina, the county with the highest unemployment rate is [county_name], with an unemployment rate of [highest_rate]%. Economic factors such as [economic_factors], the presence or lack of industry, and other contributing factors like [other_factors] may be responsible for the high unemployment rate in this county. Conversely, the county with the lowest unemployment rate is [county_name], with an unemployment rate of [lowest_rate]%. This lower rate could be attributed to strong economic factors, a robust industry presence, and other contributing factors such as [other_factors]. Comparing the highest and lowest unemployment rates highlights differences, with [county_name] experiencing [highest_rate]% unemployment and [county_name] at [lowest_rate]%. These disparities can impact the local economy and community, emphasizing the need for targeted policies to address unemployment rates in South Carolina. Monitoring and addressing these rates is necessary for economic stability and growth in the region.In South Carolina, Marlboro County, SC had the highest unemployment rate at 7.5%. Saluda County, SC had the lowest at 3.4%. Greenville County, SC, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 3.7%. The latest county-level data is from March 2026.
Unemployment rates in South Carolina counties ranged from 3.4% to 7.5% in March 2026.
Unemployment rate, by county, not seasonally adjusted
Unemployment rate, by county in South Carolina (March 2026)
| 1. | Marlboro County, SC | 7.5% |
| 2. | Williamsburg County, SC | 7.2% |
| 3. | Marion County, SC | 6.5% |
| 4. | Union County, SC | 6.5% |
| 5. | Allendale County, SC | 6% |
| 6. | Lee County, SC | 6% |
| 7. | Orangeburg County, SC | 5.7% |
| 8. | Clarendon County, SC | 5.6% |
| 9. | Cherokee County, SC | 5.3% |
| 10. | Chester County, SC | 5.3% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
