The Mercer County unemployment rate at 5.8 percent. The number is for June and compares to a 4.4 percent figure the same time a year ago. 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 by 2,000 compared to June 2023.
Government (+700), Private Education-Health Services (+300), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+300), Retail Trade (+300), Wholesale Trade (+200) and Mining-Construction (+100) had payroll gains over-the-year. The Professional-Business Services (-3,000), Leisure-Hospitality (-500), Manufacturing (-300) 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 is 6.1 percent.