The Mercer County unemployment rate sits at 5.4 percent. The latest number is for April and represents a significant decrease from last year at this time when the number was 15.9 percent during the early phases of the pandemic. Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties also saw the same trends, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased 13,600 compared to April 2020. Manufacturing (-400), Wholesale Trade (-100), and Financial Activities (-100) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago. The Leisure-Hospitality (+5,400), Educational-Health Services (+2,100), Retail Trade (+2,000), Other Services (+1,500), and Construction (+1,200) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. Statewide, the unemployment rate is 7.1 percent compared to 16.3 percent a year ago.
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.
