The Mercer County unemployment rate is at 4.7 percent. The latest number is for March and represents a 1.8 percent improvement from the same period one year ago. Unemployment is also down from year over year levels in Henry, Rock Island, Warren, Knox and Henderson counties, according to information from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. In the region, total nonfarm employment decreased -800 compared to March 2019. The Educational-Health Services (+400), Leisure-Hospitality (+400), and Construction (+200) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. Professional-Business Services (-1,000) and Manufacturing (-800) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Statewide, the current unemployment rate is 4.4 percent with the national rate at 4.5 percent.
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.
