Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC market declined by 2,261 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC unemployment rate is 221 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 200 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in January versus prior month by -0.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Unemployment January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.7%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 11,500; -200
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.