The Mercer County unemployment rate at 3.5 percent. The number is for December and compares to a 6.1 percent figure recorded a year ago. Unemployment is also down from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased 6,200 compared to December 2020.
The Leisure-Hospitality (-200), Information (-100), and Financial Activities (-100) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago. The Government (+1,900), Construction (+1,300), Educational-Health Services (+1,200), Manufacturing (+800), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+700) sectors reported the largest payroll gains.
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 4.3 percent.
