The Mercer County unemployment rate at 5.1 percent. The number is for March and compares to a 6.7 percent figure from one year ago, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. 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 4,800 compared to March 2021.
Leisure-Hospitality (+2,000), Professional-Business Services (+1,100), Retail Trade (+1,000), and Manufacturing (+1,000) had the largest payroll gains over the year. The Educational and Health Services (-1,100) and Construction (-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.
The Illinois unemployment rate is 4.7 percent.
