The Mercer County unemployment rate at 4.9 percent. The number is for November and compares to a 3.9 percent figure that was recorded one year ago, according to data released by 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 2,000 compared to November 2023.
Government (+900), Other Services (+400), Private Education-Health Services (+300), and Mining-Construction (+100) had payroll gains over-the-year. The Professional-Business Services (-2,200), Manufacturing (-600), Leisure-Hospitality (-400), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (-200), Financial Activities (-100), Wholesale Trade (-100) 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 sits at 4.8 percent.
