Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down in January for All State Metro Areas

SPRINGFIELD - The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in January, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas. The official, BLS approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.

"The Pritzker administration remains steadfast in providing support and services to individuals impacted by this pandemic more than a year later," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "As IDES works to rollout the new extensions provided in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to ensure eligible claimants have access to benefits, they will continue to provide job-matching resources to individuals as the economy works to recover statewide."

The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas.  The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Kankakee MSA (-9.8%, -4,500), the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-9.1%, -342,700) and the Elgin Metropolitan Division (-8.4%, -21,400). Three metro areas recorded their lowest total nonfarm jobs for the month of January on record (dating back to 1990).

Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in all 14 metropolitan areas; the metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (+5.3 points to 9.1%), the Decatur MSA (+5.1 points to 9.9%) and the Springfield MSA (+3.9 points to 7.6%). The not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 8.5 percent in January 2021.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in January 2021.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) -January 2021

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

Central Illinois Highlights

Bloomington MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.3 percent in January 2021 from 3.2 percent in January 2020.

Over the year,  nonfarm  payroll  employment   decreased   by   -6,300 compared to one year ago. The largest declines were reported in Leisure-Hospitality (-2,200), Government (-1,800), and Educational-Health Services (-900). Wholesale Trade (+200) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+100) had payroll gains over the year.

Peoria MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.2 percent in January 2021 from 4.7 percent in January 2020.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by -11,900 compared to one year ago. The largest declines were reported in Leisure-Hospitality (-5,300), Government (-1,900), and Manufacturing (-1,600). Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+200) had payroll gains over the year.

Ottawa-Streator Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.2 percent in January 2021 from 5.6 percent in January 2020. Over the year, nonfarm payrolls decreased by -3,250 compared to a year ago.
Construction (-600), Leisure-Hospitality (-600), Educational-Health Services (-450) and Manufacturing (-425) posted the largest declines.

Galesburg Area-Knox County: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.8 percent in January 2021 from 4.6 percent in January 2020. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by -1,150. The largest declines were reported in Government (-400), Educational-Health Services (-375), and Leisure-Hospitality (-325) sectors from a year ago. Professional-Business Services (+225) had payroll gains over the year.

Pontiac Area-Livingston County: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.7 percent in January 2021 from 4.2 percent in January 2020.

Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by -725. Information (-225), Manufacturing (-175), Educational-Health Services (-125), and Leisure-Hospitality (-125) posted the largest declines from a year ago. 

Note:  Monthly 2020 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2021, 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. The official monthly unemployment rate series for metro areas, counties and most cities begins in 1990. The official monthly nonfarm jobs series for metro areas begins in 1990 and for non-metropolitan counties it begins in 1999.