Press Release - Thursday, September 22, 2022
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Jobs Up, Unemployment Rates Down in All 14 Metro Areas
SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in August according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs increased in all metros.
"Economic recovery, jobs growth, and consistent historically low unemployment claims data continues to signal a strong labor market throughout the state," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "Whether you're returning to the workforce or looking to switch career fields, the State of Illinois offers a suite of workforce development and job and training resources to those who are looking for it."
The metro areas with the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Rockford MSA (+5.2%, +7,200), the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights MSA (+4.8%, +172,600), and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (+4.2%, +7,500). Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Mining and Construction and Leisure and Hospitality (fourteen areas each); Manufacturing (thirteen areas); Professional and Business Services and Education and Health Services (eleven areas each); Government (ten areas); Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, and Other Services (nine areas each).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-1.6 points to 5.0%), the Carbondale-Marion MSA (-1.3 points to 4.5%), and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.3 points to 3.8%). The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in 97 counties, increased in 2, and was unchanged in 3.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | August 2022* | August 2021** | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 3.9% | 4.8% | -0.9 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 4.5% | 5.8% | -1.3 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.3% | 5.3% | -1.0 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 5.0% | 6.6% | -1.6 |
| Danville | 5.7% | 6.8% | -1.1 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.8% | 5.1% | -1.3 |
| Decatur | 6.5% | 7.7% | -1.2 |
| Elgin | 4.7% | 5.6% | -0.9 |
| Kankakee | 5.9% | 6.5% | -0.6 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.0% | 4.9% | -0.9 |
| Peoria | 4.9% | 5.9% | -1.0 |
| Rockford | 6.8% | 7.8% | -1.0 |
| Springfield | 4.3% | 5.4% | -1.1 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.3% | 5.4% | -1.1 |
| Illinois Statewide | 4.8% | 6.1% | -1.3 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised |
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Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2022
| Metropolitan Area | August | August | Over-the-Year |
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| 2022* | 2021** | Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 93,700 | 90,200 | 3,500 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,600 | 54,500 | 2,100 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 109,800 | 107,200 | 2,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,805,500 | 3,632,900 | 172,600 |
| Danville MSA | 26,300 | 25,600 | 700 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 186,600 | 179,100 | 7,500 |
| Decatur MSA | 48,700 | 48,100 | 600 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 253,300 | 245,400 | 7,900 |
| Kankakee MSA | 42,700 | 41,900 | 800 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 427,100 | 412,600 | 14,500 |
| Peoria MSA | 169,300 | 165,600 | 3,700 |
| Rockford MSA | 146,800 | 139,600 | 7,200 |
| Springfield MSA | 110,100 | 106,500 | 3,600 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 237,000 | 236,400 | 600 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,078,300 | 5,845,200 | 233,100 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Labor Market Area | Aug 2022 | Aug 2021 | Over the Year Change |
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| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL MSA | |||||
| Henry County | 4.0 % | 4.5 % | -0.5 | ||
| Mercer County | 3.4 % | 4.4 % | -1.0 | ||
| Rock Island County | 4.4 % | 5.3 % | -0.9 | ||
| Cities |
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| Galesburg City | 6.2 % | 7.3 % | -1.1 | ||
| Moline City | 4.5 % | 5.2 % | -0.7 | ||
| Rock Island City | 4.5 % | 5.8 % | -1.3 | ||
| Counties |
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| Bureau County | 4.3 % | 4.7 % | -0.4 | ||
| Fulton County | 5.0 % | 5.5 % | -0.5 | ||
| Henderson County | 3.8 % | 3.8 % | 0.0 | ||
| Knox County | 5.5 % | 6.7 % | -1.2 | ||
| Stark County | 4.4 % | 5.3 % | -0.9 | ||
| Warren County | 4.1 % | 4.8 % | -0.7 | ||
| Whiteside County | 4.2 % | 4.9 % | -0.7 | ||
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.8 percent in August 2022 from 5.1 percent in August 2021. The last time the August rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 3.8 percent.
Total nonfarm employment increased +7,500 compared to August 2021.
Leisure-Hospitality (+2,800), Professional-Business Services (+1,700), Retail Trade (+1,100), Government (+1,100), and Manufacturing (+1,100) had the largest payroll gains over the year. The Educational-Health Services (-800) and Financial Activities (-200) sectors recorded employment declines over the year.
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 2021 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2022, 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.
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