Press Release - Thursday, September 27, 2018
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Unemployment Rate Falls in Thirteen Metros - Unchanged in One
CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in August in thirteen 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 ten of the metropolitan areas.
"The unemployment rate continued its downward trend in all metro areas except one where it was unchanged," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "These are some of the lowest unemployment rates we have seen in years. In fact, for the sixth consecutive month, the Chicago metro area had its lowest unemployment rate on record."
Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+6.2 percent, +2,900), Champaign-Urbana (+1.6 percent, +1,700), the Quad Cities (+1.1 percent, + 2,100), and Rockford (+1.1 percent, +1,600). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.8 percent or +28,400). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Carbondale-Marion (-0.9 percent, -500), Springfield (-0.3 percent, -400), and Bloomington (-0.2 percent, -200). Total nonfarm jobs were unchanged in Peoria.
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Manufacturing (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (10 of 14), Professional and Business Services (10 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (9 of 14), and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares August 2018 with August 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.2 percent in August 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 3.9 percent in August 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.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | August 2018 | August 2017 | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 4.1% | 4.2% | -0.1 |
Carbondale-Marion | 4.9% | 5.0% | -0.1 |
Champaign-Urbana | 4.5% | 4.5% | 0.0 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.8% | 5.6% | -1.8 |
Danville | 5.9% | 6.8% | -0.9 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.9% | 4.3% | -0.4 |
Decatur | 5.5% | 5.9% | -0.4 |
Elgin | 4.4% | 4.6% | -0.2 |
Kankakee | 4.7% | 5.1% | -0.4 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.1% | 4.2% | -0.1 |
Peoria | 4.9% | 5.4% | -0.5 |
Rockford | 5.3% | 5.6% | -0.3 |
Springfield | 4.2% | 4.3% | -0.1 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.5% | 4.9% | -0.4 |
Illinois Statewide | 4.2% | 5.3% | -1.1 |
* Data subject to revision. | |||
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2018
Metropolitan Area | August 2018* | August 2017** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA | 92,600 | 92,800 | -200 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,100 | 56,600 | -500 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 106,600 | 104,900 | 1,700 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,796,100 | 3,767,700 | 28,400 |
Danville MSA | 28,400 | 28,200 | 200 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 188,200 | 186,100 | 2,100 |
Decatur MSA | 51,600 | 51,100 | 500 |
Elgin Metro Division | 261,000 | 258,400 | 2,600 |
Kankakee MSA | 49,500 | 46,600 | 2,900 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 425,000 | 424,200 | 800 |
Peoria MSA | 173,000 | 173,000 | 0 |
Rockford MSA | 152,700 | 151,100 | 1,600 |
Springfield MSA | 115,600 | 116,000 | -400 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 239,300 | 238,200 | 1,100 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,138,000 | 6,083,100 | 54,900 |
*Preliminary **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Aug. 2018 | Aug. 2017 | Over-the-Year Change |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 4.5% | 4.5% | 0.0% |
Champaign County | 4.5% | 4.5% | 0.0% |
Ford County | 4.6% | 4.9% | -0.3% |
Piatt County | 4.2% | 4.2% | 0.0% |
Danville MSA | 5.9% | 6.8% | -0.9% |
Vermilion County | 5.9% | 6.8% | -0.9% |
Cities |
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Champaign City | 4.5% | 4.5% | 0.0% |
Urbana City | 4.7% | 4.7% | 0.0% |
Danville City | 6.9% | 8.2% | -1.3% |
Counties |
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Clark County | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
Coles County | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
DeWitt County | 4.9% | 4.6% | 0.3% |
Douglas County | 4.0% | 4.3% | -0.3% |
Edgar County | 4.6% | 5.2% | -0.6% |
Iroquois County | 3.9% | 4.1% | -0.2% |
McLean County | 4.0% | 4.2% | -0.2% |
Macon County | 5.5% | 5.9% | -0.4% |
Moultrie County | 3.9% | 4.0% | -0.1% |
Sangamon County | 4.2% | 4.3% | -0.1% |
Shelby County | 4.2% | 4.2% | 0.0% |
Other Areas |
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LWA 17 | 4.4% | 4.5% | -0.1% |
LWA 18 | 5.9% | 6.8% | -0.9% |
East Central EDR | 4.7% | 4.9% | -0.2% |
East Central Illinois Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 5,000 positions in August 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 membership and research association. Employers need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.
Champaign-Urbana MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.5 percent in August 2018 compared to one year ago.
Non-farm employment increased from its year-ago level by +1,700.
Employment gains over the year were posted in Government (+800), Educational & Health Services (+700), Leisure & Hospitality (+300), Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+200), while Professional & Business Services, Information, Financial Activities, and Durable Goods Manufacturing each increased by (+100).
Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-300), Wholesale Trade
(-300), Retail Trade (-200), Mining and Construction (-100), and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing (-100) recorded payroll losses from August 2017.
Danville MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 5.9 percent in August 2018 from 6.8 percent in August 2017.
Non-farm employment increased from its year-ago level by
+200.
Job gains were reported in Educational & Health Services (+200), Professional & Business Services (+100), while Leisure & Hospitality, Wholesale Trade, and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities each increased by (+100) over the year.
Government, Retail Trade, Financial Activities, and Information each declined by (-100) since August 2017.
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.
LWA— Local Workforce Area 17 is composed of Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Piatt Counties.
LWA— Local Workforce Area 18 is composed of Vermillion County.
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