The Mercer County unemployment rate sits at 5.7 percent. The number is for July and compares to a 4.1 percent figure recorded a year ago, according to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Unemployment is also higher year-over-year in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island, and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment decreased by 3,100 compared to July 2023. Private Education-Health Services (+400), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+300), Wholesale Trade (+200), Mining-Construction (+200) and Other Services (+100) had payroll gains over the year. The Professional-Business Services (-2,900), Leisure-Hospitality (-600), Manufacturing (-400), Retail Trade (-300) and Financial Activities (-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 6.2 percent.