Press Release - Thursday, March 19, 2020
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Unemployment Rate Down in Thirteen Metro Areas
SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in January in thirteen Illinois metropolitan areas and increased 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 shows the number of nonfarm jobs increased in four Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in ten.
"This administration has spent the past year strengthening our state's economy by raising workers' wages, investing in our schools, and securing a much-needed bipartisan capital plan," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "As we enter this period of uncertainty, we remain committed to supporting working families."
Illinois businesses added jobs in four metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in Champaign-Urbana (+1.9%, +2,000), Kankakee (+1.3%, +600) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+1.0%, +36,400). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Rockford (-4.2%, -6,300), Peoria (-1.9%, -3,200) and Lake-Kenosha (-1.6%, -6,500). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Education and Health Services (9 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares January 2020 with January 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.0 percent in January 2020 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in January 2020 and 10.6 percent in January 2010, at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | January 2020* | January 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 3.4% | 5.2% | -1.8 |
Carbondale-Marion | 3.9% | 5.6% | -1.7 |
Champaign-Urbana | 3.4% | 5.2% | -1.8 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.6% | 4.7% | -1.1 |
Danville | 4.9% | 6.6% | -1.7 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.7% | 5.4% | -0.7 |
Decatur | 5.1% | 6.7% | -1.6 |
Elgin | 4.7% | 6.3% | -1.6 |
Kankakee | 5.4% | 7.1% | -1.7 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.4% | 5.6% | -1.2 |
Peoria | 5.0% | 6.5% | -1.5 |
Rockford | 8.0% | 6.8% | 1.2 |
Springfield | 3.8% | 5.5% | -1.7 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.8% | 5.5% | -1.7 |
Illinois Statewide | 4.0% | 5.3% | -1.3 |
* Preliminary I ** Revised | |||
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - January 2020
Metropolitan Area | January | January | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change |
Bloomington MSA | 90,200 | 90,900 | -700 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,200 | 56,500 | -300 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 109,900 | 107,900 | 2,000 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,750,300 | 3,713,900 | 36,400 |
Danville MSA | 26,800 | 27,000 | -200 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 183,300 | 183,900 | -600 |
Decatur MSA | 49,300 | 50,000 | -700 |
Elgin Metro Division | 256,100 | 256,600 | -500 |
Kankakee MSA | 45,600 | 45,000 | 600 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 405,200 | 411,700 | -6,500 |
Peoria MSA | 165,000 | 168,200 | -3,200 |
Rockford MSA | 144,200 | 150,500 | -6,300 |
Springfield MSA | 106,900 | 108,000 | -1,100 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 235,700 | 235,200 | 500 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,000,500 | 5,991,400 | 9,100 |
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Jan 2020 | Jan 2019 | Over the Year Change | |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL MSA | ||||
Henry County | 5.0 % | 6.5 % | -1.5 | |
Mercer County | 6.0 % | 8.0 % | -2.0 | |
Rock Island County | 5.0 % | 6.6 % | -1.6 | |
Cities |
|
|
| |
Galesburg City | 4.7 % | 6.9 % | -2.2 | |
Moline City | 4.8 % | 6.3 % | -1.5 | |
Rock Island City | 4.6 % | 6.7 % | -2.1 | |
Counties |
|
|
| |
Bureau County | 5.5 % | 7.0 % | -1.5 | |
Fulton County | 6.0 % | 8.0 % | -2.0 | |
Henderson County | 4.9 % | 7.8 % | -2.9 | |
Knox County | 4.8 % | 6.9 % | -2.1 | |
Stark County | 5.8 % | 7.8 % | -2.0 | |
Warren County | 3.9 % | 5.4 % | -1.5 | |
Whiteside County | 4.4 % | 5.8 % | -1.4 | |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IL-IA MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.7 percent in January 2020 from 5.4 percent in January 2019. The last time the January rate was equal to or lower was in 1998 when it was 4.0 percent.
Total nonfarm employment decreased -600 compared to January 2019.
The Educational-Health Services (+700), Leisure-Hospitality (+300), and Financial Activities (+200) sectors reported the payroll gains.
Manufacturing (-1,100) and Professional-Business Services (-400) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
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 2019 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2020, 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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