Press Release - Thursday, March 29, 2018
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Unemployment Rate Falls in Thirteen Metros
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | Feb. 2018 | Feb. 2017 | Over-the-Year Change | |||
Bloomington | 3.6% | 4.9% | -1.3 | |||
Carbondale-Marion | 4.3% | 5.4% | -1.1 | |||
Champaign-Urbana | 3.7% | 4.9% | -1.2 | |||
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 5.3% | 5.3% | 0.0 | |||
Danville | 5.6% | 7.2% | -1.6 | |||
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.4% | 5.5% | -1.1 | |||
Decatur | 4.9% | 6.3% | -1.4 | |||
Elgin | 4.6% | 6.0% | -1.4 | |||
Kankakee | 5.1% | 6.6% | -1.5 | |||
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.3% | 5.5% | -1.2 | |||
Peoria | 5.0% | 6.8% | -1.8 | |||
Rockford | 4.9% | 9.2% | -4.3 | |||
Springfield | 4.0% | 5.0% | -1.0 | |||
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.1% | 5.2% | -1.1 | |||
Illinois Statewide | 5.0% | 5.6% | -0.6 | |||
* Data subject to revision. |
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CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in February in 13 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 eleven of the metropolitan areas.
"It's certainly a robust start to 2018 with declining unemployment rates in most areas," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "In fact, the February unemployment rate in thirteen of the metros is the lowest it has been since at least 2000."
Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metro areas, with the largest increases in: Rockford (+5.3 percent, +7,500), Kankakee (+4.2 percent, +1,900), and Elgin (+2.5 percent, +6,300). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.5 percent or +18,700). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Springfield (-1.8 percent, -2,000), Carbondale-Marion (-1.6 percent, -900), and Danville (-1.1 percent, -300).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (11 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (8 of 14), Professional and Business Services, (8 of 14), and Government (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2018 with February 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.0 percent in February 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 4.4 percent in February 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.
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - February 2018
Metropolitan Area | February | February | Over-the-Year Change | |
Bloomington MSA | 93,600 | 92,900 | 700 | |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,900 | 57,800 | -900 | |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 111,400 | 110,200 | 1,200 | |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,694,300 | 3,675,600 | 18,700 | |
Danville MSA | 27,800 | 28,100 | -300 | |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 183,200 | 179,900 | 3,300 | |
Decatur MSA | 50,900 | 50,800 | 100 | |
Elgin Metro Division | 255,600 | 249,300 | 6,300 | |
Kankakee MSA | 47,000 | 45,100 | 1,900 | |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 408,500 | 399,400 | 9,100 | |
Peoria MSA | 167,700 | 166,300 | 1,400 | |
Rockford MSA | 149,700 | 142,200 | 7,500 | |
Springfield MSA | 110,500 | 112,500 | -2,000 | |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 235,500 | 235,300 | 200 | |
Illinois Statewide | 5,991,300 | 5,936,300 | 55,000 | |
| *Preliminary **Revised | |||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates (percent) for Local Counties and Areas
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Feb. 2018 |
Feb. 2017 | Over- the-Year Change |
Decatur MSA | |||
Macon County | 4.9% | 6.3% | -1.4 |
Springfield MSA | |||
Menard County | 4.3% | 5.1% | -0.8 |
Sangamon County | 3.9% | 5.0% | -1.1 |
Cities | |||
Decatur City | 5.3% | 6.8% | -1.5 |
Quincy City | 3.6% | 4.8% | -1.2 |
Springfield City | 4.0% | 5.1% | -1.1 |
Counties | |||
Adams County | 3.6% | 4.6% | -1.0 |
Brown County | 2.3% | 3.2% | -0.9 |
Calhoun County | 5.2% | 6.5% | -1.3 |
Cass County | 4.4% | 5.5% | -1.1 |
Christian County | 5.0% | 6.5% | -1.5 |
DeWitt County | 4.3% | 5.8% | -1.5 |
Greene County | 4.7% | 6.1% | -1.4 |
Jersey County | 4.7% | 5.8% | -1.1 |
Logan County | 4.4% | 5.6% | -1.2 |
McDonough County | 4.3% | 5.5% | -1.2 |
Macoupin County | 4.6% | 5.7% | -1.1 |
Montgomery County | 5.8% | 7.2% | -1.4 |
Morgan County | 4.0% | 5.1% | -1.1 |
Moultrie County | 3.4% | 4.5% | -1.1 |
Piatt County | 4.0% | 5.1% | -1.1 |
Pike County | 4.6% | 6.0% | -1.4 |
Schuyler County | 4.4% | 5.9% | -1.5 |
Scott County | 6.1% | 7.1% | -1.0 |
Shelby County | 4.2% | 5.7% | -1.5 |
Other Areas | |||
LWA 19 | 4.8% | 6.3% | -1.5 |
LWA 20 | 4.1% | 5.2% | -1.1 |
LWA 21 | 4.7% | 5.9% | -1.2 |
Central EDR | 4.4% | 5.6% | -1.2 |
Central Illinois Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 5,600 positions in February and approximately 83 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membershipandresearchassociation.Employersactuallyneed more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates becausesomeindustries,suchasConstruction,typicallydonot post advertised jobopenings.
Decatur MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in February 2018 from 6.3 percent in February 2017. There were an estimated 2,400 unemployed people in the labor force in February 2018.
The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Decatur metro area increased by (+100) compared to one year ago. Payrolls increased in Manufacturing (+400) and Government (+100). Declines were reported in Retail Trade (-200), Educational & Health Services (-100), and Construction (-100). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.
Springfield MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.0 percent in February 2018 from 5.0 percent in February2017. Therewereanestimated4,300 unemployedpeople in the labor force in February 2018.
The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Springfield metro area decreasedby(-2,000)comparedtoayearago.Payrollincreases were reported in Construction (+200). Declines were reported in Professional & Business Services (-1,000), Retail Trade
(-700), Educational & Health Services (-300), Other Services (-100), and Information (-100). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.
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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