The Mercer County unemployment rate at 4.3 percent. The number is for July and represents nearly a one-percent increase from the same period a year ago, according to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Unemployment is also up year-over-year in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased by 1,800 compared to July 2022.
Leisure-Hospitality (+1,800), Educational-Health Services (+900), Government (+500), Manufacturing (+300), and Financial Activities (+100) had payroll gains over the year. The Professional-Business Services (-1,100), Construction-Mining (-300), Retail Trade (-200), Information (-100) and Other Services (-100) 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.
Statewide, the unemployment rate is 4.5 percent.
