COLUMBIA (WACH) -- The latest unemployment numbers by county for February is out.
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce released the data Wednesday morning. The report comes a week after the state's unemployment data was released showing a sixth consecutive drop. The delay in releasing the report is because of a new U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics computer system used to calculate the information.
Statewide, February's number dropped to 10.2 percent from 10.5 percent in January. Over 3,000 jobs were added according to the report released Friday.
The Department of Employment and Workforce says there are currently 218, 940 unemployed people in South Carolina. That number is down around 33,000 over last year.
Lexington County comes in with the lowest unemployment across the state at 7.6 percent. Marion County again comes in with the highest at 20.2 percent.
See how your county ranks:
| County | February | % Change |
| Clarendon | 15.1% | 0 |
| Orangeburg | 14.2% | -0.6 |
| Lee | 13.4% | -0.4 |
| Fairfield | 13.3% | -0.7 |
| Chesterfield | 13.2% | -1.5 |
| Sumter | 11.1% | 0.2 |
| Calhoun | 10.6% | -0.4 |
| Newberry | 10.4% | -0.2 |
| Kershaw | 9.6% | 0.1 |
| Saluda | 9.3% | 0.1 |
| Richland | 8.7% | 0.4 |
| Aiken | 8.1% | -0.3 |
| Lexington | 7.6% | 0.3 |
Click here to read the entire SCDEW report.
State officials say things are looking up when it comes to the jobless rate.
"We are encouraged about consecutive monthly employment gains, and as spring approaches, we optimistically look toward an improving economy," explains DEW Director John Finan.
Meanwhile, neighboring states didn't show much movement. Nationally, unemployment dropped slightly in February to 8.9 percent from 9 percent in January.
After six consecutive reports showing improvement on the job front in South Carolina, do you think the trend will continue? Vote in our poll below and leave a comment.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH