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Unemployment Rate Drops in All Metro Areas for Fifth Consecutive Month
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | Oct. 2017 | Oct. 2016 | Over-the-Year Change | |||
Bloomington | 3.8% | 4.8% | -1.0 | |||
Carbondale-Marion | 4.4% | 5.4% | -1.0 | |||
Champaign-Urbana | 4.1% | 4.9% | -0.8 | |||
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 4.9% | 5.7% | -0.8 | |||
Danville | 6.0% | 6.8% | -0.8 | |||
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.1% | 5.2% | -1.1 | |||
Decatur | 5.2% | 6.1% | -0.9 | |||
Elgin | 4.2% | 5.0% | -0.8 | |||
Kankakee | 4.8% | 5.9% | -1.1 | |||
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 3.9% | 4.7% | -0.8 | |||
Peoria | 4.7% | 6.0% | -1.3 | |||
Rockford | 5.0% | 6.2% | -1.2 | |||
Springfield | 4.0% | 4.5% | -0.5 | |||
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.4% | 5.3% | -0.9 | |||
Illinois Statewide | 4.7% | 5.6% | -0.9 | |||
* Data subject to revision. |
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CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in October in all of Illinois's metropolitan areas and in all 102 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 eight of the metropolitan areas and decreased in six.
"It is encouraging that the unemployment rate is down statewide and Illinois gained 18,200 jobs over the past year," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "However, six of the 14 metro areas did not add jobs, which is a clear sign of the need for more sustained job growth across all areas of the state."
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metro areas, with the largest increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.1 percent, +1,200), Kankakee (+2.0 percent, +900), and Lake/Kenosha (+1.3 percent, +5,300). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.6 percent or +20,800). Illinois businesses lost jobs in six metro areas, with the largest losses in: Danville (-1.0 percent, -300), Springfield (-0.9 percent, -1,100), and Champaign (-0.5 percent, -600).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (9 of 14) and Education and Health Services (9 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares October 2017 with October 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.7 percent in October 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 3.9 percent in October 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 is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - October 2017
Metropolitan Area | October | October | Over-the-Year Change | |
Bloomington MSA | 95,900 | 95,000 | 900 | |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 59,200 | 58,000 | 1,200 | |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 111,900 | 112,500 | -600 | |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,776,100 | 3,755,300 | 20,800 | |
Danville MSA | 28,300 | 28,600 | -300 | |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 185,100 | 184,100 | 1,000 | |
Decatur MSA | 51,500 | 51,700 | -200 | |
Elgin Metro Division | 258,500 | 259,200 | -700 | |
Kankakee MSA | 46,200 | 45,300 | 900 | |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 418,100 | 412,800 | 5,300 | |
Peoria MSA | 177,100 | 176,800 | 300 | |
Rockford MSA | 151,900 | 152,500 | -600 | |
Springfield MSA | 115,500 | 116,600 | -1,100 | |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 240,400 | 239,100 | 1,300 | |
Illinois Statewide | 6,107,400 | 6,089,200 | 18,200 | |
| *Preliminary **Revised | |||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Oct. 2017 | Oct. 2016 | Over-the-Year Change |
Mattoon - Charleston Area |
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Clark County | 4.3% | 5.1% | -0.8 |
Coles County | 4.5% | 5.4% | -0.9 |
Cumberland County | 3.5% | 4.7% | -1.2 |
Douglas County | 3.8% | 4.5% | -0.7 |
Edgar County | 4.0% | 5.6% | -1.6 |
Moultrie County | 3.6% | 4.4% | -0.8 |
Shelby County | 4.1% | 5.5% | -1.4 |
Effingham Area |
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Clay County | 4.6% | 5.9% | -1.3 |
Crawford County | 4.9% | 6.2% | -1.3 |
Effingham County | 3.5% | 4.3% | -0.8 |
Fayette County | 4.9% | 6.0% | -1.1 |
Jasper County | 4.2% | 6.2% | -2.0 |
Centralia - Mt. Vernon Area |
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Clinton County | 3.2% | 4.1% | -0.9 |
Hamilton County | 4.0% | 5.3% | -1.3 |
Jefferson County | 5.1% | 6.2% | -1.1 |
Marion County | 4.7% | 6.0% | -1.3 |
Washington County | 2.8% | 3.6% | -0.8 |
Wayne County | 5.4% | 8.2% | -2.8 |
South Central Illinois Highlights
Labor market conditions have steadily improved during the past twelve months in South Central Illinois. Fall unemployment rates are generally at low levels for the year. All eighteen counties reported a decline in unemployment compared to one year-ago. The data is not seasonally adjusted.
Employment increases were reported in Transportation, Health Care Services, and Professional-Business Services this fall in South Central Illinois. Seasonal layoffs began in Recreation and Construction. Over the year, payroll gains were reported in Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Wholesale Trade, and Health Services. Employment losses occurred in Information and Financial Activities. State and Local Government payrolls gradually declined during the past year.
Many employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Sales, Transportation, and Office and Administrative Support in fall 2017. Numerous job openings were advertised in Engineering, Management, Food Preparation, and Production occupations. Workers were needed in Health Care Support, Construction, Installation, Maintenance, and Repair, and Business-Finance.
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 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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