Mercer County Unemployment At 4.2 Percent

Unemployment at 4.2 percent in Mercer County. The number is for October and represents an eight-point improvement from the same period a year ago. Unemployment is also down from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties. Total non-farm employment decreased -100 compared to October 2018. The Construction (+900), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+300), and Wholesale Trade (+100) sectors reported payroll gains. Retail Trade (-500), Leisure-Hospitality (-300), and Financial Activities (-200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Statewide, significant improvements were seen comparing October of this year to October of 2018 says Illinois Department of Employment Security spokesperson Rebecca Cisco.

The Illinois unemployment rate is 3.6 percent with the national rate at 3.3 percent. 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.