The Mercer County unemployment rate at 4.1 percent. The number is for April and compares to a 5.3 percent figure recorded the same period a year ago according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. 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 by 7,400 compared to April 2021.
Leisure-Hospitality (+2,200), Professional-Business Services (+1,900), Manufacturing (+1,500), and Retail Trade (+1,200) had the largest payroll gains over the year. The Educational and Health Services (-700) sector 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 current unemployment rate is 4.4 percent.
