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Unemployment Rate Falls in All Metros for Second Consecutive Month
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | Apr. 2018 | Apr. 2017 | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 3.1% | 3.6% | -0.5 |
Carbondale-Marion | 3.8% | 4.1% | -0.3 |
Champaign-Urbana | 3.2% | 3.6% | -0.4 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.6% | 4.6% | -1.0 |
Danville | 4.8% | 5.6% | -0.8 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.5% | 4.1% | -0.6 |
Decatur | 4.4% | 4.8% | -0.4 |
Elgin | 3.7% | 4.2% | -0.5 |
Kankakee | 4.2% | 4.7% | -0.5 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 3.4% | 3.9% | -0.5 |
Peoria | 4.1% | 5.0% | -0.9 |
Rockford | 4.2% | 6.5% | -2.3 |
Springfield | 3.2% | 3.8% | -0.6 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.4% | 4.1% | -0.7 |
Illinois Statewide | 3.6% | 4.5% | -0.9 |
* Data subject to revision. |
CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in April in all of Illinois's metropolitan areas, 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.
"The unemployment rate has been below previous year levels in all metro areas for ten of the last eleven months," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "In fact, three metro areas saw their lowest unemployment rate on record for April."
Illinois businesses added jobs in nine metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+3.9 percent, +1,800), Lake (+1.9 percent, +7,800), and the Quad Cities (+1.5 percent, +2,700). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.7 percent or +25,300). Illinois businesses lost jobs in five metro areas with the largest losses in: Carbondale-Marion (-1.7 percent, -1,000), Springfield (-1.2 percent, -1,400), and Danville (-1.1 percent, -300).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (9 of 14), Professional and Business Services, (9 of 14), Manufacturing (8 of 14), Education and Health Services (8 of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares April 2018 with April 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 3.6 percent in April 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 3.7 percent in April 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) - April 2018
Metropolitan Area | April 2018* | April 2017** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA | 94,800 | 95,400 | -600 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 57,600 | 58,600 | -1,000 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 113,700 | 112,800 | 900 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,742,700 | 3,717,400 | 25,300 |
Danville MSA | 28,100 | 28,400 | -300 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 186,100 | 183,400 | 2,700 |
Decatur MSA | 51,200 | 51,000 | 200 |
Elgin Metro Division | 259,000 | 256,700 | 2,300 |
Kankakee MSA | 48,100 | 46,300 | 1,800 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 419,800 | 412,000 | 7,800 |
Peoria MSA | 172,400 | 172,900 | -500 |
Rockford MSA | 150,900 | 149,300 | 1,600 |
Springfield MSA | 112,500 | 113,900 | -1,400 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 241,500 | 239,900 | 1,600 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,082,900 | 6,034,600 | 48,300 |
*Preliminary **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Apr. 2018 | Apr. 2017 | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA |
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DeWitt County | 3.7% | 4.1% | -0.4 |
McLean County | 3.0% | 3.5% | -0.5 |
Peoria MSA |
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Marshall County | 4.3% | 5.0% | -0.7 |
Peoria County | 4.5% | 5.3% | -0.8 |
Stark County | 5.1% | 5.8% | -0.7 |
Tazewell County | 3.8% | 4.9% | -1.1 |
Woodford County | 3.1% | 3.9% | -0.8 |
Ottawa-Streator Area | 4.3% | 4.7% | -0.4 |
Bureau County | 3.6% | 4.1% | -0.5 |
LaSalle County | 4.5% | 5.0% | -0.5 |
Putnam County | 4.2% | 4.4% | -0.2 |
Galesburg Area | 4.0% | 4.5% | -0.5 |
Knox County | 4.0% | 4.5% | -0.5 |
Warren County | 3.1% | 3.5% | -0.4 |
Cities |
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Bloomington City | 3.2% | 3.5% | -0.3 |
Galesburg City | 4.2% | 4.6% | -0.4 |
Normal City | 2.8% | 3.3% | -0.5 |
Pekin City | 4.3% | 5.6% | -1.3 |
Peoria City | 4.6% | 5.5% | -0.9 |
Counties |
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Fulton County | 4.8% | 5.7% | -0.9 |
Henderson County | 3.5% | 4.2% | -0.7 |
Henry County | 3.8% | 4.4% | -0.6 |
Livingston County | 3.2% | 3.9% | -0.7 |
Logan County | 3.5% | 3.9% | -0.4 |
Mason County | 4.3% | 5.2% | -0.9 |
Central Illinois Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 7,200 positions in April and approximately 82 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 actually need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.
Bloomington MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.1 percent in April 2018 when compared to 3.6 percent in April 2017. There were an estimated 3,100 unemployed people in the labor force in April 2018.
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-600). Jobs gains were reported in Leisure & Hospitality (+400), Government (+200), Wholesale Trade (+100), and Educational & Health Services (+100). Declines were reported in Construction (-500), Financial Activities (-400), Manufacturing (-200), while Information, Other Services, and Professional & Business Services each declined by (-100). All other major industry sectors were little changed compared to a year ago.
Peoria MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent in April 2018 from 5.0 percent in April 2017. There were an estimated 7,300 unemployed people in the labor force in April 2018.
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-500). Job gains were reported in Professional & Business Services (+1,100), Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+300), and Educational & Health Services (+100). Declines were reported in Manufacturing (-700), Retail Trade (-400), Leisure & Hospitality (-300), Construction (-200), Government (-200), Wholesale Trade (-100), and Financial Activities
(-100). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.
Ottawa-Streator Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.3 percent in April 2018 from 4.7 percent in April 2017. There were an estimated 3,300 unemployed people in the labor force in April 2018. Over the year, nonfarm payrolls increased by (+75) compared to a year ago. The largest gains occurred in Manufacturing (+300), Leisure & Hospitality (+150), and Construction (+50). Declines were reported in Professional & Business Services
(-225), Financial Activities (-175), Educational & Health Services (-50), and Government (-50). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.
Galesburg Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.0 percent in April 2018 from 4.5 percent in April 2017. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-275). Educational & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Manufacturing each increased by (+50), while Government (-175) had the largest decline from a year ago.
Pontiac Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.2 percent in April 2018 from 3.9 percent in April 2017. Nonfarm payroll employment increased by (+225). Manufacturing increased by (+75), while Educational & Health Services (-50) had the largest decline from a year ago.
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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