Press Release - Thursday, September 23, 2021
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Unemployment Rates Down for the Fifth Straight Month, Jobs Up in Most Metro Areas
SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in August for the fifth straight month according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in all metro areas, with the exception of the Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area.
"As reopening and recovery efforts continue to impact metro areas across the state, IDES is committed to continuing to assist both claimants and jobseekers who are still looking to reenter the workforce," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "Claimants are encouraged to utilize IllinoisJobLink.com to search for work opportunities and take advantage of assistance the Department can provide with workforce development, including job trainings and resume building."
Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in thirteen metropolitan areas and decreased in one (Bloomington MSA,-0.6%, -500). The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Springfield MSA (+3.5%, +3,600); the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (+3.1%, +5,400), the Chicago Metro Division (+2.9%, +102,200) and the Peoria MSA (+2.9%, +4,700). The industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Leisure and Hospitality (fourteen areas); Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (eleven areas); Other Services and Government (ten areas each); Manufacturing and Educational and Health Services (nine areas each).
Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in all 14 metropolitan areas; the metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-5.5 points to 7.5%), the Elgin Metropolitan Division (-3.2 points to 6.1%) and the Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division (-2.7 points to 5.3%). The unemployment rate also decreased over-the-year in all 102 counties for the fifth consecutive month.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | August 2021* | August 2020** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 5.2% | 6.8% | -1.6 |
Carbondale-Marion | 6.0% | 8.3% | -2.3 |
Champaign-Urbana | 5.6% | 7.0% | -1.4 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 7.5% | 13.0% | -5.5 |
Danville | 7.1% | 8.9% | -1.8 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.1% | 7.5% | -2.4 |
Decatur | 8.2% | 10.6% | -2.4 |
Elgin | 6.1% | 9.3% | -3.2 |
Kankakee | 6.7% | 9.0% | -2.3 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 5.3% | 8.0% | -2.7 |
Peoria | 6.3% | 8.9% | -2.6 |
Rockford | 8.3% | 10.9% | -2.6 |
Springfield | 5.8% | 8.4% | -2.6 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.7% | 8.3% | -2.6 |
Illinois Statewide | 6.8% | 11.0% | -4.2 |
* Preliminary I ** Revised |
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Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) -August 2021
| August | August | Over-the-Year |
Metropolitan Area | 2021* | 2020** | Change |
Bloomington MSA | 86,500 | 87,000 | -500 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 55,200 | 53,700 | 1,500 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 108,700 | 105,700 | 3,000 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,587,500 | 3,485,300 | 102,200 |
Danville MSA | 26,200 | 25,600 | 600 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 177,400 | 172,000 | 5,400 |
Decatur MSA | 48,200 | 47,200 | 1,000 |
Elgin Metro Division | 240,500 | 236,900 | 3,600 |
Kankakee MSA | 43,000 | 42,400 | 600 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 408,600 | 397,300 | 11,300 |
Peoria MSA | 165,400 | 160,700 | 4,700 |
Rockford MSA | 140,400 | 138,400 | 2,000 |
Springfield MSA | 105,200 | 101,600 | 3,600 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 230,700 | 229,800 | 900 |
Illinois Statewide | 5,817,300 | 5,652,400 | 164,900 |
*Preliminary | **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Aug 2021 | Aug 2020 | Over the Year Change | |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 6.0 % | 8.3 % | -2.3 | |
Jackson County | 6.0 % | 8.3 % | -2.3 | |
Williamson County | 6.1 % | 8.2 % | -2.1 | |
Surrounding Counties |
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Alexander County | 8.6 % | 10.1 % | -1.5 | |
Franklin County | 7.4 % | 9.7 % | -2.3 | |
Johnson County | 6.5 % | 8.6 % | -2.1 | |
Massac County | 6.4 % | 9.0 % | -2.6 | |
Perry County | 6.2 % | 8.4 % | -2.2 | |
Pulaski County | 9.6 % | 11.9 % | -2.3 | |
Randolph County | 4.9 % | 6.5 % | -1.6 | |
Union County | 6.4 % | 7.5 % | -1.1 | |
Harrisburg Area |
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Gallatin County | 7.1 % | 9.3 % | -2.2 | |
Hamilton County | 5.1 % | 5.4 % | -0.3 | |
Hardin County | 7.3 % | 9.3 % | -2.0 | |
Pope County | 5.7 % | 7.5 % | -1.8 | |
Saline County | 7.3 % | 10.1 % | -2.8 | |
White County | 5.2 % | 7.0 % | -1.8 | |
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area |
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Edwards County | 5.5 % | 6.1 % | -0.6 | |
Lawrence County | 6.2 % | 7.5 % | -1.3 | |
Richland County | 4.7 % | 6.4 % | -1.7 | |
Wabash County | 4.7 % | 6.5 % | -1.8 | |
Wayne County | 5.7 % | 7.2 % | -1.5 | |
Other Areas |
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LWIA 23 | 5.2 % | 7.1 % | -1.9 | |
LWIA 24 | 5.8 % | 8.4 % | -2.6 | |
LWIA 25 | 6.4 % | 8.6 % | -2.2 | |
LWIA 26 | 6.2 % | 8.0 % | -1.8 | |
Southern EDR | 6.3 % | 8.4 % | -2.1 |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Carbondale - Marion Area
The August 2021 unemployment rate was 6.0 percent. This was a decrease of -2.3 percentage points from the August 2020 rate of 8.3 percent. Total nonfarm employment in August 2021 increased by +1,500 compared to last August.
Employment increased in Government (+200).
Surrounding Counties
Total nonfarm employment increased by +675 compared to August 2020.
Employment gains were posted in Leisure and Hospitality (+225), Educational and Health Services (+200), Government (+175), Natural Resources and Mining (+75), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+50), Construction (+25), and Information (+25).
August payrolls declined in Other Services (-25) and Professional and Business Services (-25). No change was reported in Manufacturing or Financial Activities employment.
Harrisburg Area
Total nonfarm employment decreased by -50 compared to August 2020.
Employment gains were posted in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+75), Educational and Health Services (+25), and Financial Activities (+25).
Employment declined in Government (-50), Leisure and Hospitality (-25), Professional and Business Services (-25), and Other Services (-25). No employment changes were reported in Construction, Manufacturing, Information, and Natural Resources and Mining.
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area
Total nonfarm employment increased by +100 compared to August 2020.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+100), Leisure and Hospitality (+100), and Educational and Health Services (+75).
Employment declined in Manufacturing (-100), Construction (-50), Natural Resources and Mining (-25), and Professional and Business Services (-25). No employment changes were reported in Financial Activities, Other Services, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, and Information.
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.
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