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Unemployment Rates Down for the Sixth Consecutive Month, Jobs Up in Most Metro Areas
SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in September for the sixth consecutive 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 twelve metropolitan areas and down in two.
"While today's data shows us how much has improved across the state over the last year, we know there is still room for further recovery and to get people back to the workforce," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "The Pritzker administration and IDES are committed to enhancing this recovery period by working with employers and dislocated workers to assist them in their search for jobseekers and career opportunities."
Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in twelve metropolitan areas and decreased in two. The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Kankakee MSA (+3.1%, +1,300), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+3.0%, +3,500), and the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (+3.0%, +105,200). Total nonfarm jobs were down in the Bloomington MSA ( -0.6%, -500) and the Rockford MSA ( -0.2%, -300). The industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Leisure & Hospitality (fourteen areas); Transportation, Warehousing & Public Utilities (thirteen areas); Government (ten areas); Other Services (nine areas) and Educational & Health Services (eight areas).
Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in all 14 metropolitan areas; the metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago Metro Division (-6.1 points to 6.1%), the Elgin Metro Division (-2.9 points to 4.9%) and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-2.6 points to 4.1%) and the Illinois section of the St. Louis, MO-IL MSA (-2.6 points to 4.5%). The unemployment rate also decreased over-the-year in all 102 counties for the sixth consecutive month.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | September 2021* | September 2020** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 4.0% | 5.8% | -1.8 |
Carbondale-Marion | 4.8% | 6.8% | -2.0 |
Champaign-Urbana | 4.1% | 5.6% | -1.5 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 6.1% | 12.2% | -6.1 |
Danville | 5.6% | 7.8% | -2.2 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.1% | 6.7% | -2.6 |
Decatur | 6.9% | 9.4% | -2.5 |
Elgin | 4.9% | 7.8% | -2.9 |
Kankakee | 5.5% | 7.8% | -2.3 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.3% | 6.8% | -2.5 |
Peoria | 5.1% | 7.6% | -2.5 |
Rockford | 7.7% | 9.3% | -1.6 |
Springfield | 4.8% | 7.3% | -2.5 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.5% | 7.1% | -2.6 |
Illinois Statewide | 5.5% | 10.1% | -4.6 |
* Preliminary I ** Revised |
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Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) -September 2021
| September | September | Over-the-Year |
Metropolitan Area | 2021* | 2020** | Change |
Bloomington MSA | 87,600 | 88,100 | -500 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,700 | 55,400 | 1,300 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 118,300 | 114,800 | 3,500 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,593,700 | 3,488,500 | 105,200 |
Danville MSA | 26,300 | 25,800 | 500 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 177,500 | 174,300 | 3,200 |
Decatur MSA | 47,800 | 47,100 | 700 |
Elgin Metro Division | 243,200 | 240,400 | 2,800 |
Kankakee MSA | 43,900 | 42,600 | 1,300 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 407,300 | 400,100 | 7,200 |
Peoria MSA | 164,500 | 161,500 | 3,000 |
Rockford MSA | 139,600 | 139,900 | -300 |
Springfield MSA | 103,700 | 102,100 | 1,600 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 233,900 | 231,000 | 2,900 |
Illinois Statewide | 5,849,800 | 5,684,000 | 165,800 |
*Preliminary | **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Sep 2021 | Sep 2020 | Over the Year Change | |
Decatur MSA |
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Macon County | 6.9 % | 9.4 % | -2.5 | |
Springfield MSA |
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Menard County | 3.4 % | 5.1 % | -1.7 | |
Sangamon County | 4.9 % | 7.4 % | -2.5 | |
Cities |
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Decatur City | 8.4 % | 11.2 % | -2.8 | |
Rock Island City | 5.0 % | 8.7 % | -3.7 | |
Springfield City | 5.6 % | 8.6 % | -3.0 | |
Counties |
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Adams County | 3.3 % | 5.0 % | -1.7 | |
Brown County | 2.1 % | 3.0 % | -0.9 | |
Calhoun County | 3.8 % | 5.4 % | -1.6 | |
Christian County | 4.5 % | 6.9 % | -2.4 | |
De Witt County | 4.1 % | 5.6 % | -1.5 | |
Greene County | 3.9 % | 5.8 % | -1.9 | |
Hancock County | 3.5 % | 5.3 % | -1.8 | |
Jersey County | 3.5 % | 6.1 % | -2.6 | |
Logan County | 4.0 % | 5.8 % | -1.8 | |
McDonough County | 4.0 % | 5.7 % | -1.7 | |
Macoupin County | 3.8 % | 5.6 % | -1.8 | |
Montgomery County | 4.6 % | 6.9 % | -2.3 | |
Morgan County | 4.2 % | 5.9 % | -1.7 | |
Moultrie County | 3.0 % | 4.5 % | -1.5 | |
Piatt County | 3.4 % | 4.3 % | -0.9 | |
Pike County | 3.5 % | 4.6 % | -1.1 | |
Schuyler County | 3.1 % | 4.5 % | -1.4 | |
Scott County | 3.6 % | 4.6 % | -1.0 | |
Shelby County | 3.6 % | 5.2 % | -1.6 | |
Other Areas |
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LWIA 19 | 6.5 % | 8.9 % | -2.4 | |
LWIA 20 | 4.7 % | 7.0 % | -2.3 | |
LWIA 21 | 4.0 % | 5.8 % | -1.8 | |
Central EDR | 4.9 % | 7.1 % | -2.2 |
Central Illinois Highlights
Decatur MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 6.9 percent in September 2021 from 9.4 percent in September 2020. There were an estimated 3,238 unemployed people in the labor force in September 2021.
The number of total nonfarm jobs in the Decatur metro area increased by +700 compared to one year ago.
Employment increased in Government (+400), Manufacturing (+400), Leisure and Hospitality (+400), Other Services (+200), Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (+100) and Professional and Business Services (+100).
Payrolls were unchanged in Information.
September payrolls declined in Educational and Health Services (-400), Wholesale Trade (-200), Construction and Mining (-100), Financial Activities (-100), and Retail Trade (-100).
Springfield MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.8 percent in September 2021 from 7.3 percent in September 2020. There were an estimated 4,906 unemployed people in the labor force in September 2021.
The number of total nonfarm jobs in the Springfield metro area increased by +1,600 compared to one year ago.
Payrolls increased in Leisure and Hospitality (+900), Professional and Business Services (+400), Educational and Health Services (+400), Retail Trade (+300), Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (+200), Information (+100), and Other Services (+100).
No payroll changes were reported in Wholesale Trade. Payrolls declined in Government (-300), Manufacturing (-200), Mining and Construction (-200), and Financial Activities (-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.
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