Labor Force in South Carolina

Labor Force

Of the population 16 years and over in South Carolina, 63.4 percent were in the labor force in 2000 and 36.6 percent were not in the labor force. Among those in the civilian labor force, 94.1 percent were employed and 5.9 percent were unemployed. The U.S. percentage of unemployed civilians was 5.1 in 2000, lower than that for the state.

Populaiton in Labor Force: 2000

	South Carolina		United States
	#	%	#	%
Population 16 Years and Over	3,114,016	100.0	217,168,077	100.0
In Labor Force	1,974,222	63.4	138,820,935	63.9
Not in Labor Force	1,139,794	36.6	78,347,142	36.1

Civilian Labor Force and Armed Forces: 2000

	South Carolina		United States
	#	%	#	%
Civilian Labor Force	1,938,195	100.0	137,668,798	100.0
Employed	1,824,700	94.1	137,668,798	94.2
Unemployed	113,495	5.9	7,947,286	5.8
Armed Forces	36,027	100.0	1,152,137	100.0

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. SF3, Table P43.
 

Female Labor Force

Census data reflects that 57.5 percent of the female population 16 years and over in South Carolina were in the labor force in 2000, and that 93.6 percent of those in the civilian labor force were employed. In the United States, 57.5 percent of females 16 years and over were in the labor force, and 54.0 percent of those in the civilian labor force were employed.

Female Labor Force: 2000

	South Carolina		United States
	#	%	#	%
Females 16 Years and Over	1,626,362	100.0	112,185,795	100.0
In Labor Force	935,656	57.5	64,547,732	57.5
In Civilian Labor Force	928,772	57.1	64,383,493	57.4

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. SF3, Table P43.
 

Changes in Labor Force 1990-2000

The statewide percentage of unemployed members of the civilian labor force increased slightly from 1990 to 2000 - from 5.6 percent to 5.9 percent. In the United States, the percentage of unemployed civilians in the labor force decreased from 6.3 percent in 1990 to 5.8 percent in 2000.

Change in Unemployed Civilian Labor Force: 1990 - 2000

	1990		2000
	#	% of Civilian Labor Force	#	% of Civilian Labor Force
South Carolina	94,673	5.6	113,495	5.9
United States	7,792,248	6.3	7,947,286	5.8

The percentage of the labor force employed in the Armed Services has declined significantly in South Carolina since 1990, from 3.7 percent to 1.8 percent. The percentage of the labor force employed in the Armed Forces in the U.S. has also declined in the last decade, from 1.4 in 1990 to 0.8 in 2000.

Change in Armed Forces Employment Status: 1990 - 2000

	1990		2000		% Change 1990-2000
	#	% of Labor Force	#	% of Labor Force
South Carolina	64,425	3.7	36,027	1.8	-44.1
United States	1,708,928	1.4	1,152,137	0.8	-32.6

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1990 and 2000.