The Mercer County unemployment rate at 4-percent. The number is for May and represents a point five increase from the same period a year ago, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The unemployment rate also increased from year over year levels in Henry and Rock Island counties and was steady in Henderson, Knox, and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased by 2,800 compared to May 2022.
Leisure-Hospitality (+1,800), Educational-Health Services (+700), Manufacturing (+300), Other Services (+300), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+200) and Government (+200) sectors had payroll gains over the year. The Professional-Business Services (-300), Retail Trade (-200) and Information (-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 3.6 percent.