The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce says the state's unemployment rate in May was 9.1 percent, up from 8.8 percent in April.
This is the first increase in ten months.
The DEW says the number of unemployed people increased in May by 5,861 to 195,905. At the same time, the number of employed people decreased by 3,886 to 1,957,360.
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased slightly from 8.1 percent in April to 8.2 percent in May.
You can read the DEW's full report here. Http://dew.sc.gov/documents/lmi-monthly-trends/May_2012.pdf
Looking at the counties in our area:
Marion County leads the state with 17.1 percent, up from 16.8 percent in April.
Marlboro County is one of only two counties in the state that saw a decrease, going from 16.8 percent in April to 16.1 percent in May.
Dillon County is at 13.8 percent, followed by Darlington at 10.3 percent.
Florence and Horry counties are tied at 9.9 percent, and Georgetown is at 9.5 percent.
