York County unemployment rate falls

York was one of two South Carolina counties with more workers during January, according to figures released Tuesday.

About 8,500 more people were employed, dropping York County’s unemployment rate from 6.9 percent in December to 6.5 percent during the month, according to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

Marion County was the only other county to see a drop in the unemployment rate, falling from 11.9 to 11.6 percent.

Lou Pantuosco, a labor economist at Winthrop University, said York County’s results were caused by companies relocating to the county and an increase in construction jobs. He said the county’s job growth mirrored national trends as most new jobs are not high paying.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate remained at 6.6 percent, as did the national rate at 5.7 percent.

The jobless rates increased in Chester and Lancaster counties. Chester’s unemployment rate increased from 7.9 percent in December to 9.5 percent in January. In Lancaster, the unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent, up from 6.5 percent.

County employment numbers are not seasonally adjusted, meaning they do not account for changes in the economy caused by business cycles such as holiday workers whose employment ends.

State officials said the number of people working in South Carolina hit a record high of more than 2,080,000 in January – up nearly 11,000 from December.

Leisure and hospitality jobs increased by 3,100 in January, while trade, transportation and utility jobs grew by 1,600. The manufacturing sector lost 1,700 jobs, and government positions were down by 1,400.

Overall, non-farm jobs were up by 2,500 from December to January. They have grown 49,500 in the past year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story was originally published March 17, 2015 at 11:46 AM with the headline "York County unemployment rate falls."