The Mercer County unemployment rate at 5.2 percent. The number is for May and is one percent higher from the same time a year ago, according to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Unemployment is also higher from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island, and Warren counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment decreased -2,700 compared to May 2023.
Wholesale Trade (+300), Other Services (+300), Private Education-Health Services (+300), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+200), Retail Trade (+200), Government (+200) and Mining-Construction (+100) had payroll gains over-the-year. The Professional-Business Services (-3,200), Leisure-Hospitality (-600), Manufacturing (-400), 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 4.8 percent.
