The Mercer County unemployment rate is now at 3.5 percent. The number is for June and compares to a 4.9 percent figure recorded a year ago, according to the latest data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Unemployment is also lower from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased 8,000 compared to June 2021. Leisure-Hospitality (+3,100), Professional-Business Services (+1,900), and Manufacturing (+1,700) had the largest payroll gains over the year. The Educational-Health Services (-800) sector recorded employment declines over the year. Statewide, the unemployment rate is 4.7 percent.
