Business & Tech

Berkeley Co. Unemployment Increases to 7.7 Percent

Unemployment numbers go up as workforce increases.

Lindsay Street, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

Less than 300 people found new employment in Berkeley County from May until June, as more than 1,100 people entered the workforce, causing the county's unemployment rate to increase to 7.7 percent.

Berkeley County has the highest unemployment rate in the tricounty region, and is now higher than the national average of 7.6 percent. 

June's unemployment numbers went up to 7.7 percent, nearly a full percent increase from May's 6.8 percent. June 2013 was 8.3 percent. The numbers are not seasonably adjusted and are recorded by the state's Department of Employment and Workforce. 

Click here to read more about May's unemployment numbers >>> 

Berkeley County unemployment is still faring better than the 8.7 percent experience in June 2012. There are still less people in the workforce than in 2012. Here are the numbers.

Workforce: 

  • June 2012: 88,477
  • May 2013: 86,890
  • June 2013: 88,026
Employed:
  • June 2012: 80,761
  • May 2013: 81,006
  • June 2013: 81,291
In June, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 8.1 percent, up from 8.0 percent in May. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained at 7.6 percent.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Goose Creek