Mercer County’s unemployment rate at 4.8 percent. The number is for September and compares to a 3.1 percent figure recorded the same time a year ago, according to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Unemployment is also up year over year in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island, and Warren Counties.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased by 2,500 compared to September 2022.
Government (+1,600), Leisure-Hospitality (+1,300), and Educational-Health Services (+500) had the largest payroll gains over the year. The Professional-Business Services (-900), Construction (-200), Information (-100), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (-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 4.9 percent. The highest unemployment rate in the region is Bureau County at 6. 4 percent.
