Press Release - Thursday, September 27, 2018
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Unemployment Rate Falls in Thirteen Metros - Unchanged in One
CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in August in thirteen of Illinois's metropolitan areas and was unchanged in one, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in ten of the metropolitan areas.
"The unemployment rate continued its downward trend in all metro areas except one where it was unchanged," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "These are some of the lowest unemployment rates we have seen in years. In fact, for the sixth consecutive month, the Chicago metro area had its lowest unemployment rate on record."
Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+6.2 percent, +2,900), Champaign-Urbana (+1.6 percent, +1,700), the Quad Cities (+1.1 percent, + 2,100), and Rockford (+1.1 percent, +1,600). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.8 percent or +28,400). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Carbondale-Marion (-0.9 percent, -500), Springfield (-0.3 percent, -400), and Bloomington (-0.2 percent, -200). Total nonfarm jobs were unchanged in Peoria.
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Manufacturing (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (10 of 14), Professional and Business Services (10 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (9 of 14), and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares August 2018 with August 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.2 percent in August 2018 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in August 2018 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work, and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | August 2018 | August 2017 | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 4.1% | 4.2% | -0.1 |
Carbondale-Marion | 4.9% | 5.0% | -0.1 |
Champaign-Urbana | 4.5% | 4.5% | 0.0 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.8% | 5.6% | -1.8 |
Danville | 5.9% | 6.8% | -0.9 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.9% | 4.3% | -0.4 |
Decatur | 5.5% | 5.9% | -0.4 |
Elgin | 4.4% | 4.6% | -0.2 |
Kankakee | 4.7% | 5.1% | -0.4 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.1% | 4.2% | -0.1 |
Peoria | 4.9% | 5.4% | -0.5 |
Rockford | 5.3% | 5.6% | -0.3 |
Springfield | 4.2% | 4.3% | -0.1 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.5% | 4.9% | -0.4 |
Illinois Statewide | 4.2% | 5.3% | -1.1 |
* Data subject to revision. | |||
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2018
Metropolitan Area | August 2018* | August 2017** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA | 92,600 | 92,800 | -200 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,100 | 56,600 | -500 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 106,600 | 104,900 | 1,700 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,796,100 | 3,767,700 | 28,400 |
Danville MSA | 28,400 | 28,200 | 200 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 188,200 | 186,100 | 2,100 |
Decatur MSA | 51,600 | 51,100 | 500 |
Elgin Metro Division | 261,000 | 258,400 | 2,600 |
Kankakee MSA | 49,500 | 46,600 | 2,900 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 425,000 | 424,200 | 800 |
Peoria MSA | 173,000 | 173,000 | 0 |
Rockford MSA | 152,700 | 151,100 | 1,600 |
Springfield MSA | 115,600 | 116,000 | -400 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 239,300 | 238,200 | 1,100 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,138,000 | 6,083,100 | 54,900 |
*Preliminary **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Aug 2018 | Aug 2017 | Over-the-Year Change |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 4.9% | 5.0% | -0.1% |
Jackson County | 4.8% | 4.6% | 0.2% |
Williamson County | 5.1% | 5.4% | -0.3% |
Other Area Counties |
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Alexander County | 7.4% | 9.2% | -1.8% |
Franklin County | 6.1% | 6.4% | -0.3% |
Johnson County | 7.6% | 7.8% | -0.2% |
Massac County | 7.2% | 7.1% | 0.1% |
Perry County | 5.8% | 6.0% | -0.2% |
Pulaski County | 7.3% | 8.0% | -0.7% |
Randolph County | 4.3% | 4.5% | -0.2% |
Union County | 5.6% | 5.9% | -0.3% |
Harrisburg Area |
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Gallatin County | 6.3% | 5.7% | 0.6% |
Hamilton County | 4.2% | 4.6% | -0.4% |
Hardin County | 7.5% | 7.7% | -0.2% |
Pope County | 6.1% | 6.5% | -0.4% |
Saline County | 6.9% | 6.9% | 0.0% |
White County | 4.2% | 4.9% | -0.7% |
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area |
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Edwards County | 4.3% | 4.7% | -0.4% |
Lawrence County | 5.9% | 6.2% | -0.3% |
Richland County | 4.6% | 4.9% | -0.3% |
Wabash County | 4.8% | 5.2% | -0.4% |
Wayne County | 5.8% | 6.1% | -0.3% |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 2,600 positions in August and approximately 77 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted Online data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicated because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in August 2018 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). This is a (-0.1%) decrease compared to August 2017, when the jobless rate was 5.0 percent. Unemployment decreased in 17 counties in the Southern Region, increased in three counties, and remained unchanged in one compared to one year-ago.
Area employers continued to show demand in Retail Trade, Educational and Health Care Services, and Manufacturing in August 2018.
Decreased hiring demand occurred in Financial Activities, Leisure and Hospitality, and Government.
Top occupations for hire in August 2018 included Registered Nurses, Truck Drivers, Retail Salespersons and Supervisors, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Maintenance and Repair Workers.
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
Note: Monthly 2017 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2018, as required by the U.S. BLS. Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.
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