The Mercer County unemployment rate at 4.7 percent. The number is for August and compares to a 7.1 percent figure recorded the same time 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 by 5,400 compared to August 2020.
The Financial Activities (-100) and Information (-100) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago. The Government (+1,200), Manufacturing (+1,100), Construction (+900), Educational-Health Services (+800), and Leisure-Hospitality (+800) sectors reported the largest payroll gains.
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 6.8 percent, which compares to 11.0 percent last year at this time.
