The Mercer County unemployment rate sits at 4.6 percent. The number is for November and represents a six-point increase from the same period a year ago. Unemployment is also up from year over year levels for Henry, Henderson, Knox, Rock Island and Warren Counties. Jobs were up in 12 of the state’s 14 metro areas in November compared to year over year levels, but Illinois Department of Employment Security spokesperson Bob Gough says the unemployment rate was also up in 11 metro areas.
Statewide, the unemployment rate is at 4.1 percent with the national rate at 3.5 percent. The highest unemployment rate in the region is 5.7 percent in Fulton County.