Bamberg, Orangeburg jobless rates among highest

Jun. 25—Bamberg and Orangeburg County unemployment rates for May were among the four highest in the state.

Bamberg County's unemployment rate was the highest at 7%, up from 5.5% in April, according to figures released Tuesday by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

Orangeburg County's unemployment rate was 5.6% in May, up from 4.4 in April.

The county's May unemployment rate was tied for fourth highest in the state with Barnwell County.

Calhoun County's unemployment rate was 4.1% in May, up from 3.3 in April

It was the 12th highest rate in the state.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.4% from 3.2. All counties saw unemployment rates rise for the month of May.

"The Federal Reserve raised interest rates in 2022 and 2023 aimed at reducing inflation," S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director William Floyd said. "The state's unemployment rate might now be reflecting the result of those actions, and we see this in the national numbers as well. We will continue closely monitoring our state's unemployment rate."

Floyd said currently the state has the fifth-highest job-opening rate in the country.

"Business is booming with new and expanding needs," he said. "There are schools, training programs, assessments and more to help jobseekers pivot their skills to fill these jobs."

The national unemployment rate increased to 4% from 3.9 in April, according to the Current Population Survey.

Charleston County had the lowest rate at 2.9 percent.

Other counties' rates are:

—Barnwell: 5.6

—Berkeley: 3.3

—Dorchester: 3.2

—Lexington: 3.1

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