Press Release - Thursday, August 24, 2017
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Pace of Job Growth Moderates in Most Metro Areas
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | July 2017 | July 2016 | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 4.5% | 5.3% | -0.8 |
Carbondale-Marion | 5.1% | 5.9% | -0.8 |
Champaign-Urbana | 4.8% | 5.2% | -0.4 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 4.8% | 6.0% | -1.2 |
Danville | 7.1% | 7.3% | -0.2 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.4% | 5.3% | -0.9 |
Decatur | 5.9% | 6.7% | -0.8 |
Elgin | 4.7% | 5.2% | -0.5 |
Kankakee | 5.4% | 6.2% | -0.8 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.3% | 4.9% | -0.6 |
Peoria | 5.5% | 6.4% | -0.9 |
Rockford | 5.8% | 6.4% | -0.6 |
Springfield | 4.4% | 4.8% | -0.4 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.0% | 5.9% | -0.9 |
Illinois Statewide | 4.9% | 5.9% | -1.0 |
* Data subject to revision. |
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CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in July in all of Illinois' metropolitan areas and all but two counties, 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 nine of the metropolitan areas, decreased in four and were unchanged in one.
"The rate of job growth has lessened in most metros that showed gains," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "While the gains in the Chicago area over the past year are promising, the drop in the unemployment rate is mostly due to the decline in the labor force."
Illinois businesses added jobs in nine metro areas, with the largest increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.3 percent, +1,300), Springfield (+2.2 percent, +2,500), Bloomington (+2.1 percent, +1,900), and Lake (+2.1 percent, +8,800). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.6 percent or +23,800). Illinois businesses lost jobs in four metro areas including: Danville (-1.4 percent, -400), Decatur (-0.8 percent, -400), and the Quad Cities (-0.5 percent, -900).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (nine of 14), Professional and Business Services (nine of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (eight of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2017 with July 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.9 percent in July 2017 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in July 2017 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 it is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - July 2017
Metropolitan Area | July | July | Over-the-Year Change | |
Bloomington MSA | 92,400 | 90,500 | 1,900 | |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 58,200 | 56,900 | 1,300 | |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 105,200 | 105,000 | 200 | |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,763,700 | 3,739,900 | 23,800 | |
Danville MSA | 27,800 | 28,200 | -400 | |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 183,400 | 184,300 | -900 | |
Decatur MSA | 50,900 | 51,300 | -400 | |
Elgin Metro Division | 254,600 | 255,000 | -400 | |
Kankakee MSA | 44,500 | 43,700 | 800 | |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 426,700 | 417,900 | 8,800 | |
Peoria MSA | 176,300 | 175,600 | 700 | |
Rockford MSA | 151,300 | 151,300 | 0 | |
Springfield MSA | 115,900 | 113,400 | 2,500 | |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 234,800 | 233,100 | 1,700 | |
Illinois Statewide | 6,067,700 | 6,028,300 | 39,400 | |
| *Preliminary **Revised | |||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates (percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Rockford MSA | Jul-17 | Jul-16 | Over the Year Change | |
Boone County | 5.6% | 6.0% | -0.4 | |
Winnebago County | 5.8% | 6.5% | -0.7 | |
Cities |
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Belvidere City | 6.5% | 6.9% | -0.4 | |
Freeport City | 5.7% | 6.6% | -0.9 | |
Rockford City | 6.9% | 7.7% | -0.8 | |
Counties |
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Bureau County | 4.8% | 5.7% | -0.9 | |
Carroll County | 4.4% | 5.1% | -0.7 | |
DeKalb County | 4.7% | 5.2% | -0.5 | |
Henry County | 5.0% | 5.5% | -0.5 | |
JoDaviess County | 4.1% | 4.5% | -0.4 | |
Kane County | 4.8% | 5.2% | -0.4 | |
Lee County | 4.5% | 4.9% | -0.4 | |
McHenry County | 4.1% | 5.1% | -1.0 | |
Ogle County | 4.9% | 5.5% | -0.6 | |
Stephenson County | 4.8% | 5.5% | -0.7 | |
Whiteside County | 5.1% | 5.9% | -0.8 |
Stephenson County
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.8 percent in July 2017 from 5.5 percent in July 2016. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2000 when it was 4.7 percent. For the month of July 2017, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 1,000.
Total nonfarm employment decreased (-100) over the year. Construction (+100) and Government (+50) added the most jobs from July 2016. The Financial Activities (-100) and Manufacturing (-75) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Rockford MSA Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 5,300 positions in July and approximately 86 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board. It is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers actually need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as construction, typically do not advertise job openings.
Rockford MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.8 percent in July 2017 from 6.4 percent in July 2016. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2006 when it was 5.3 percent. For the month of July 2017, the estimated number of people unemployed in the labor force was 9,700.
Total nonfarm employment in July 2017 held steady from its year ago level. Leisure-Hospitality (+500), Manufacturing (+400), Professional-Business Services (+200), and Educational-Health Services (+100) reported the largest payroll gains over the year. Retail Trade (-700) and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-300) recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Ogle County
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in July 2017 from 5.5 percent in July 2016. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2005 when it was 4.9 percent. For the month of July 2017, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 1,250.
Total nonfarm employment increased (+175) compared to July 2016. The Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (+150), Government (+100), and Construction (+50) sectors added the most jobs over the year. The Manufacturing (-25), Financial Activities (-25), and Professional-Business Services (-25) sectors recorded the only declines compared to one year ago.
Note:
Monthly 2016 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February 2017, as required by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (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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