SC Payroll Employment Declines

Payroll employment in South Carolina declined by 5,100 jobs (0.2 percent) during February, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

The unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, increasing slightly by 0.1 percentage point.

              "Employment conditions in South Carolina declined in February. Apart from solid job gains in manufacturing, most industries saw either flat or declining employment," said Bethany Greene, a regional economist at the Charlotte Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

• Total payroll employment in South Carolina declined by 5,100 jobs (0.2 percent), on net, during February. The largest job losses were in leisure and hospitality (3,000 jobs) and trade, transportation and utilities (2,400 jobs). Job losses were partially offset by gains in manufacturing employment (2,600 jobs).

• On a yearly basis, payroll employment grew by 20,200 jobs (0.8 percent). Annual job growth was led by education and health services (8,700 jobs), government (5,300 jobs) and construction (3,900 jobs). Three industries saw declines: professional and business services (5,100 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (1,700 jobs) and information services (900 jobs).

• The labor force grew robustly, adding 11,600 participants over the month.

Housing Market Conditions

• Residential permitting activity decreased 5.0 percent from November 2025 to December 2025 and decreased 10.2 percent from December 2024 to December 2025.

• 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.