The Mercer County unemployment rate at 5.4 percent. The number is for September and compares to a 4.4 percent figure recorded the same period a year ago, according to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Unemployment is also higher from year over year levels in Henry and Rock Island counties, but steady in Henderson, Knox, and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,300 compared to September 2023.
Government (+700), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+300), Other Services (+300) and Mining-Construction (+100) had payroll gains over-the-year. The Professional-Business Services (-2,900), Manufacturing (-500), Retail Trade (-100), Information (-100) and Leisure-Hospitality (-100) sectors recorded employment declines over-the-year.
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.
Statewide, the unemployment rate is 5.0 percent.
