Unemployment Rates in Augusta-Aiken Area, South Carolina — May 2026

Data: BLS LAUS  Updated: May 2026  • National rate: 4.3%

4.8%
Area Average
7.6%
Highest Rate
3.0%
Lowest Rate
4.3%
US National

Unemployment Snapshot: Augusta-Aiken Area — May 2026

Across 22 tracked locations in Augusta-Aiken Area, the average unemployment rate stands at 4.8% as of May 2026. This is 0.5 pp above the national average of 4.3%.

Highest Unemployment

  1. Allendale County, SC — 7.6%
  2. Bamberg County, SC — 6.8%
  3. McCormick County, SC — 6.7%

Lowest Unemployment

  1. Jenkins County, GA — 3.0%
  2. Glascock County, GA — 3.3%
  3. Columbia County, GA — 3.4%

Employment is broadly improving: 12 locations recorded a month-over-month decrease versus 6 that increased. Arrows indicate change from previous month.

Interactive Unemployment Heat Map: Augusta-Aiken Area Metro Area

Click or hover a location on the map to see unemployment details. Use the buttons in the table below to zoom to a specific area.

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Unemployment Rates for Selected Locations in Augusta-Aiken Area
Location Current
May 2026
Prev.
Month
6 Months
Ago
1 Year
Ago
Aiken, SC 5.7%5.7%5.3%4.3%
Aiken County, SC 5.4%5.4%4.7%4.0%
Allendale County, SC 7.6%8.4%6.3%5.0%
Augusta, GA 4.8%5.3%4.8%5.0%
Bamberg County, SC 6.8%7.2%6.1%5.1%
Barnwell County, SC 6.6%7.2%6.0%5.3%
Burke County, GA 4.6%5.6%4.4%4.8%
Columbia County, GA 3.4%3.3%3.3%3.5%
Edgefield County, SC 4.8%4.9%4.5%3.7%
Emanuel County, GA 3.9%4.0%4.0%4.2%
Glascock County, GA 3.3%3.1%2.9%3.0%
Hancock County, GA 5.3%5.3%5.4%5.2%
Jefferson County, GA 4.2%4.5%4.1%4.5%
Jenkins County, GA 3.0%3.2%2.9%3.6%
Johnson County, GA 3.5%3.4%3.6%3.9%
Lincoln County, GA 4.8%4.2%3.7%4.5%
McCormick County, SC 6.7%6.5%5.8%4.8%
McDuffie County, GA 4.4%4.7%4.1%4.5%
Taliaferro County, GA 4.2%4.8%3.3%4.6%
Warren County, GA 4.4%4.6%3.9%4.4%
Washington County, GA 4.2%4.1%3.8%4.0%
Wilkes County, GA 4.3%4.3%3.4%4.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current unemployment rate in Augusta-Aiken Area?

As of May 2026, the average unemployment rate across 22 tracked locations in Augusta-Aiken Area is 4.8%. Individual locations range from 3.0% to 7.6%. Click any location on the map or table to explore sub-area data.

Which areas in Augusta-Aiken Area have the highest unemployment?

The three locations with the highest unemployment rates in Augusta-Aiken Area as of May 2026 are: Allendale County (7.6%), Bamberg County (6.8%), McCormick County (6.7%). These areas are highlighted in red/pink on the heat map.

Which areas have the lowest unemployment?

The lowest unemployment rates in Augusta-Aiken Area are found in: Jenkins County (3.0%), Glascock County (3.3%), Columbia County (3.4%). These locations appear in blue on the heat map.

How does Augusta-Aiken Area compare to the national unemployment rate?

The U.S. national unemployment rate for May 2026 is 4.3%. This is 0.5 pp above the national average of 4.3%.

How often is unemployment data updated?

Local area unemployment data is published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, typically 3–4 weeks after the end of the reference month. This page reflects data released for May 2026. Figures may be subject to revision in subsequent releases.

Data Source & Methodology

Unemployment data on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, part of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Program
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
Publisher
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
Data Period
May 2026
Release Frequency
Monthly (typically 3–4 weeks after the reference month)
Geography
States, metropolitan areas, counties, and sub-county places
Methodology
LAUS uses a signal-extraction model at the state level derived from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Sub-state estimates for metropolitan areas, counties, and places are produced using complementary methods including input from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program and unemployment insurance (UI) claims data.
Direct Links
BLS LAUS HomeLAUS Data TablesBLS Data Finder

Data is subject to revision. Figures reflect not seasonally adjusted rates unless otherwise noted. ZipDataMaps.com is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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