Image by Flickr user kandyjaxx

The South Carolina labor market was barely able to edge out the growth in its workforce for a net gain of 652 jobs in September.

The total employment increase was 6,219.

In all, unemployment edged down to 11% from a revised rate of 11.1% in August (previously thought to be 11%,) a year ago it was 12.2%. Nationally, the September unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.6%.

The government sector (+14,400) accounted for most of the growth as education services hired for the school year, however, the federal government cut some 1,600 jobs as did the private sector, cutting 12,600 jobs, the majority of which were in tourism and hospitality services.

Locally the Charleston metro area saw unemployment a dip from 10% to 9% and in the counties:

• Charleston County: 42nd highest, 8.6%, was 9.8%
• Berkeley County: 36th, 9.7%, was 10.7% 
• Dorchester County: 40th, 9.2%, was 9.8%

Get loads more numbers in the release.

• Keep up with this topic on our unemployment section.