Unemployment Rate Increases Slightly in Lexington, Richland Counties

The unemployment rate increased slightly in Richland and Lexington counties — and in the state — in January, according to data released Monday by the S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce (DEW). 

Lexington County still has the state's lowest rate at 6.8 percent in January, according to the statistics, but that's up from 6.5 percent in December 2012. 

Richland County's unemployment rate rose to 8.5 percent in January from 8 percent in December 2012. More than 15,000 people in the county are unemployed.

In South Carolina, the unemployment rate also rose slightly from 8.6 percent in December 2012 to 8.7 percent in January.

Marion County has the state's highest unemployment rate for January at 19.2 percent.

Nationally, the unemployment rate rose from 7.8 percent in December 2012 to 7.9 percent in January.