Mercer County Unemployment Rate Now 7.2 Percent; Number Below State Average

The Mercer County unemployment rate at 7.2 percent. The number is for August and is three-percent higher than the same period a year ago. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, unemployment is also up from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties. In the region, Professional-Business Services (-3,600), Government (-3,000), Leisure-Hospitality (-2,200), Educational-Health Services (-1,900), and Manufacturing (-1,200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Statewide, the unemployment rate sits at 10.9 percent, which is the highest August unemployment rate since 1983 when it was 11.3 percent. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 8.5 percent, which is the highest August unemployment rate since 2011 when it was 9.1.
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.