The Mercer County unemployment rate at 3.3 percent. The number is for November and compares to a 4.8 percent figure recorded the same period a year ago, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased 2,300 compared to November 2020.
The Manufacturing, Information, and Financial Activities sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago. The Government, Construction, Leisure-Hospitality, and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities 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 current unemployment rate is 4.5 percent.
