2023 ended with Wabash County having the lowest unemployment rate in southern Illinois. The latest data from the state’s department of employment security show Wabash County ended last year with a 3% jobless rate, which was more than a half a percentage point below the second lowest in White County at 3.6%. Other area rates included Edwards County at 5%; Lawrence at 5.3%; Richland was at 4.1% and Wayne County was at 4.4%. Even though Wabash County’s 3% figure in December was the lowest in southern Illinois, it was still up slightly from the December ’22 mark of 2.7%.
IDES reports in the Olney-Mt. Carmel area, payrolls increased in Government, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, Educational and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, Other Services, Natural Resources and Mining , Information and Professional and Business Service. Payrolls were unchanged in Construction over-the-year. Payroll employment decreased in the Manufacturing and Financial Activities industries.