The Mercer County unemployment rate at 5.1 percent. The number is for August and compares to a 4.4 percent figure recorded the same time a year ago, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Unemployment is slightly higher year over in Henry and Rock Island counties, but lower in Henderson, Knox, and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,600 compared to August 2023.
Private Education-Health Services (+500), Government (+500), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+400), Mining-Construction (+300) and Other Services (+200) had payroll gains over-the-year. The Professional-Business Services (-3,100), Leisure-Hospitality (-800), Manufacturing (-300), Retail Trade (-100), Information (-100) and Wholesale Trade (-100) sectors recorded employment declines over-the-year.
Statewide, the unemployment rate at 5.5 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.
