The South Carolina unemployment rate inched up a little in February... moving from 6.2% in January to 6.3%.

The U.S. Department of Labor, however, says South Carolina ha the fourth-worst rate in the country.

And counties in the News13 viewing area have the worst rates in the state.  Marlboro (20.3%), Marion (17.3%), Williamsburg (16.7%) and Georgetown (15.8%) Counties have the four worst rates.  Florence is 20th, with 8.8% out of work, while Horry is 30th, with 6.5% unemployed.  The Horry County rate is the best in our area... and it's still above the state average.

For the complete report from the SC Employment Security Commission, click on the link below:

http://www.sces.org/lmi/news/February_2004.pdf