Press Release - Thursday, May 24, 2018
Press Releases
No Data
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 |
|
|
|
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Apr. 2018 | Apr. 2017 | Over-the-Year Change |
Rockford MSA |
|
|
|
Boone County | 4.1% | 6.8% | -2.7 |
Winnebago County | 4.2% | 6.5% | -2.3 |
Cities |
|
|
|
Belvidere City | 4.8% | 9.0% | -4.2 |
Freeport City | 4.2% | 4.9% | -0.7 |
Rockford City | 4.8% | 7.8% | -3.0 |
Counties |
|
|
|
Bureau County | 3.6% | 4.1% | -0.5 |
Carroll County | 3.4% | 4.0% | -0.6 |
DeKalb County | 3.2% | 4.2% | -1.0 |
Henry County | 3.8% | 4.4% | -0.6 |
JoDaviess County | 3.5% | 3.6% | -0.1 |
Kane County | 3.8% | 4.2% | -0.4 |
Lee County | 3.4% | 3.7% | -0.3 |
McHenry County | 3.3% | 4.3% | -1.0 |
Ogle County | 3.8% | 4.7% | -0.9 |
Stephenson County | 3.6% | 4.3% | -0.7 |
Whiteside County | 3.5% | 4.2% | -0.7 |
Rockford MSA Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 5,000 positions in March and approximately 82 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 5.1 percent in March 2018 from 8.4 percent in March 2017. The last time the March rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2000 when it was 4.6 percent. For the month of March 2018, the estimated number of people unemployed in the labor force was 8,400.
Total nonfarm employment increased +6,400 compared to March 2017. A temporary layoff in Manufacturing (+5,900) in March 2017 contributed to the over- the-year increase in this sector and the increase in total nonfarm employment. In addition, Leisure-Hospitality (+600) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+600) sectors recorded payroll gains compared to one year ago. Government (-400) and Information (-200) recorded the largest employment declines over-the-year.
Stephenson County
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in March 2018 from 5.4 percent in March 2017. The last time the March rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 1999 when it was 4.2 percent. For the month of March 2018, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 950.
Total nonfarm employment increased +400 over the year. Manufacturing (+200), Professional-Business Services (+200), and Financial Activities (+50) added the most jobs from March 2017. The Construction (-25), Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-25), and Leisure-Hospitality (-25) sectors recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.
Ogle County
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in March 2018 from 5.8 percent in March 2017. The last time the March rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2000 when it was 4.6 percent. For the month of March 2018, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 1,250.
Total nonfarm employment decreased -625 over the year. The Government (+75) and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (+75) sectors added the most jobs over the year. The Construction
(-625), Manufacturing (-125), and Financial Activities (-125) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one 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.
Press Releases
No Data