Columbia bucks recent SC upward unemployment trend, latest data shows. What to know

Have you struggled to find work in South Carolina? If so, you’re not alone.

The latest data from December 2025 show more South Carolinians are struggling to find work than in recent years, with the current unemployment rate rising to 4.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In comparison, SC’s unemployment rate was only 4.4% last year.

SC’s current unemployment rate is higher than the national average. In December, the nation’s average unemployment rate was 4.4%.

The last time unemployment was this high was during the COVID-19 pandemic, back in 2020, shown here:

Why is this happening, even with a record high number of nearly 2,490,000 employed individuals and a robust economy? Between an increasing number of unemployed individuals and the state’s growing labor force, it was only a matter of time before rates increased.

In December, the number of individuals out of work increased to 124,807, which is more than 4,000 individuals from Nov. 2025. Additionally, the state’s labor force grew by nearly 65,000 since December 2024, fueled by the state’s population growth, according to South Carolina Public Radio.

“December’s employment report shows that South Carolina’s labor market remains stable,” the SC Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Directory William Floyd said in a statement. “Although the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.8 percent, this was primarily driven by an influx of new entrants to the labor force.”

SC saw labor force growth in all nonfarm employment, except for manufacturing, in the past year. Floyd said there are plenty of opportunities the SC DEW offers to help job-seekers find their next position.

“For any jobseeker - regardless of age, experience, industry, or region - there is an SC Works program or service to take advantage of that can connect you with your next job,” Floyd said.

Unemployment data in Columbia

Columbia was one of the few cities in SC that had a decrease in its unemployment rate in December, even if it was slight. However, Columbia saw a larger jump in unemployment rates throughout the year.

At the end of 2024, Columbia had an unemployment rate of 3.9%. The rate increased to 4.8% in November, but decreased a small bit to 4.7% in December.

The total number of unemployed individuals in Columbia in December was 20,538, which was a decrease of almost 400 individuals from November 2025. The labor force grew by 14,469 since last year.

How to file for unemployment

Before you decide to file for unemployment, it’s important to know whether you qualify. To become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits you must:

• Have lost your job through no fault of your own
• Report any income earned during a claim week
• Continue to actively search for work
• Be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work during a claim week
• Accept any suitable offer of work you receive

Filing for unemployment can sometimes be tricky. Thankfully, the SC DEW has a dedicated webpage with tips and tricks. Here’s a basic guide on what you need to receive benefits:

• 1. Your Social Security Number
• 2. Your work history for the past two years, including name of employer, address, telephone number, employment dates, rate of pay, total earnings, information about your job separation for each employer and the amount of money you received in severance
• 3. Your bank routing number and account number, if you would your benefits to be directly deposited into your bank account

You can call for the SC DEW’s support at 803-737-2400.