IPSPR: Electronic Publications

Definition: This indicator represents the number of people without a job and actively seeking work, who are prepared and able to work, expressed as a percentage of the civilian working population.

Significance: It is generally interpreted that “unemployment” detrimentally affects individuals, families and the country as a whole. Unemployed or displaced workers and their families lose wages, and the country loses the goods or services which could have been produced. In addition, the purchasing power of these unemployed is lost, which can lead to unemployment for yet other workers.[i]

Data reflects South Carolina (SC) average, United States (US) average, and Southeast (SE) average. The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Selected State Rankings, 2006 (“1” represents highest unemployment rate. Rankings reflect a standard competition ranking method that accounts for ties that result in two or more states having the same rank.)

2. PERCENT OF PEOPLE 16 YEARS AND OVER IN LABOR FORCE (INCLUDING ARMED FORCES)

Definition: This indicator, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, represents all those “16 years old and over who were either (1) ‘at work’—those who did any work at all during the reference period as paid employees, worked in their own business or profession, worked on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers on a family farm or in a family business; or (2) were ‘with a job but not at work’—those who did not work during the reference period but had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily absent due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation, or other personal reasons.”

Significance: Economists, on the whole, believe that high labor participation rates, as measured by the proportion of the working age population that is in the workforce, contribute to a strong and sustainable economic growth.

Data reflects South Carolina (SC), United States (US, and Southeast (SE). The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Data are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dorms, and other group quarters.

The data in this table are based on the American Community Survey and/or the Puerto Rico Community Survey conducted in 2006. To maintain confidentiality, the Census Bureau applies statistical procedures that introduce some uncertainty into data for geographic areas with small population groups.The data in this table contain sampling error and nonsampling error. Data users who create their own estimates using data from American FactFinder tables should cite the Census Bureau as the source of the original data only. See also definitions of subject characteristics. For information on response rates, coverage rates, sample size and allocation rates see quality measures. For the full documentation on the ACS sample design, estimation methodology, and accuracy of the ACS data, see United States Census Bureau.

Selected State Rankings, 2006 (“1” represents highest percentage of people 16+ age in labor force. Rankings reflect a standard competition ranking method that accounts for ties that result in two or more states having the same rank.)

Definition: This indicator represents the percentage of industrial or “non-farm employment sector” which usually includes trade, construction, transportation, communications, and services.

Significance: Economists generally believe that non-farm sector employment contributes to economic growth, improves income distribution, and under correct conditions, lessens poverty.

Selected State Rankings, 2005 (“1” represents highest percentage non-farm employment in manufacturing. Rankings reflect a standard competition ranking method that accounts for ties that result in two or more states having the same rank.)

[i] Persons are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work.