Unemployment rates in southeastern Illinois have almost returned to the levels we saw before the pandemic hit in the Spring. At that point, Wabash County and other counties in the state saw their jobless rates skyrocket over 20% when lockdowns on many businesses were imposed. But the latest figures released for November show Wabash County’s jobless rate stood at 4.1%, just one percentage point above the 3.1% mark recorded in November of last year. Wabash County’s rate last month was the third lowest in southern Illinois just trailing the 3.5% rate in Hamilton County and the 4% figure in White County.
Total nonfarm employment decreased by -900 compared to November 2019.
Employment gains were posted in Natural Resources and Mining (+25).
Employment declined in Manufacturing (-250), Leisure and Hospitality (-250), Educational and Health Services (-175), Other Services (-125), Government (-100), Financial Activities (-25), Professional and Business Services (-25), and Construction (-25). No employment changes were reported in Trade, Transportation and Utilities, and Information