Mercer County’s unemployment rate is at 4.0 percent. The number is for August and represents a five-point improvement from the same period a year ago. Unemployment is also down from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties. In the region, total nonfarm employment increased +2,200 compared to August 2018. The Construction (+1,400), Leisure-Hospitality (+600), Manufacturing (+600), and Professional-Business Services (+500) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade (-800), Educational-Health Services (-300), and Government (-300) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Statewide the unemployment rate is now at 3.8 percent and all 14 metro areas and all counties saw a decline in the jobless rate compared to August of 2018 says Sam Salustro with the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
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. The national unemployment rate also sits at 3.8 percent.