SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in December in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also shows the number of nonfarm jobs increased in ten Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in three, and was unchanged in one.
Local unemployment rates:
12/19 12/18 11/19
Edwards County 4.2% 5.8% 3.6%
Lawrence County 5.4% 7.2% 4.5%
Richland County 3.7% 4.9% 3.4%
Wabash County 3.0% 5.0% 2.9%
Wayne County 4.4% 5.9% 4.1%
White County 3.8% 5.0% 3.3%
Wabash County’s 3% figure tied Hamilton County for the second straight month for the lowest rate in all of southern Illinois.
Olney – Mt. Carmel Area
Non-farm employment increased by +500 over the year.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+200), Educational & Health Services (+100), Wholesale Trade (+100), and Retail Trade (+100). Slight employment gains were posted in Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities, Financial Activities, Natural Resources & Mining, Professional & Business Services, Construction, and Information.
Employment in Other Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Manufacturing declined slightly.