Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down for Every Metro Area Compared to Last March

SPRINGFIELD - The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in March, 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.

"As the state moves through pandemic recovery and the economy begins to heal itself, the major focus remains on assisting claimants and providing support to those still impacted," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.  "IDES remains committed to administering benefits and providing job-matching services to individuals dislocated from their jobs as a result of the pandemic and eager to jump back into the workforce."

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 Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-7.5%, -280,400), the Kankakee MSA (-7.1%, -3,200), and the Decatur MSA (-6.3%, -3,100). Three metro areas recorded their lowest total nonfarm jobs for the month of March 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 (+3.8 points to 7.7%), Decatur MSA (+3.4 points to 8.6%), the Rockford MSA (+2.8 points to 8.1%). The not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in March 2021.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in March 2021.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - March 2021

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

Metro East Highlights

The March 2021 unemployment rate for the Illinois Section of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area was 5.6 percent.  The over-the-year rate increased +2.2 percentage points from the March 2020 rate of 3.4 percent. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

The labor force decreased by -10,472 to 325,502 in March 2021 from 335,974 in March 2020. The number of employed individuals decreased by -17,108 to 307,331 in March 2021 from 324,439 in March 2020. In March 2021, there were 18,171 unemployed people in the labor force. This is an increase of +6,636 compared to the 11,535 unemployed in March 2020.

The number of total nonfarm jobs was 227,000 compared to March 2020, which is a decrease of -11,000.

Employment declined in Leisure and Hospitality (-4,600), Educational and Health Services (-3,200), Other Services (-1,000), Mining and Construction (-500), Retail Trade (-500), Manufacturing (-400), Financial Activities (-400), Information (-300), and Wholesale Trade (-300).

Payrolls increased in Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (+2,300), and Professional and Business Services (+100).

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.