Mercer County Unemployment Rate Under 4-Percent

The Mercer County unemployment rate at 3.4 percent. The number is for August and compares to 4.4 percent during the same period a year ago. Unemployment is also lower year over year in Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties and steady in Henderson County.
In the region, total nonfarm employment increased by 7,500 compared to August 2021.

Leisure-Hospitality (+2,800), Professional-Business Services (+1,700), Retail Trade (+1,100), Government (+1,100), and Manufacturing (+1,100) sectors had the largest payroll gains over the year. The Educational-Health Services (-800) and Financial Activities (-200) sectors recorded employment declines over the year. Statewide, the unemployment rate is 4.8 percent.

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.