COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's unemployment rate increased slightly in January.
The Department of Employment and Workforce said Monday the jobless rate in January was 8.7 percent. That's up from a revised rate of 8.6 percent in December.
The national jobless rate also increased slightly in January, from 7.8 percent in December to 7.9 percent.
The agency says much of the loss came because of seasonal layoffs and the closing of schools between semesters.
The information sector was the only segment of the economy to add jobs in January, with 600 additional positions.
Trade, transportation and utilities saw a decline of 9,600 jobs, while government employment dropped by 8,500.
(backslash)Marion County had the highest unemployment rate at 19.2%. Lexington County had the lowest rate at 6.8 percent.
