Unemployment Rates Drop in All Metro Areas - Job Growth Uneven
February was the twelfth month in a row that unemployment rates fell in every metro area in the state compared to a year ago, according to preliminary data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Rates also fell in all 102 counties for the eleventh consecutive month and the twelfth time out of the past fourteen months. Not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2015 with February 2014.Illinois businesses added jobs in nine metros. Largest increases: Danville (+3.5 percent, +1,000), Champaign-Urbana (+2.3 percent, +2,400) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+1.7 percent, +58,200). Decreases: Carbondale-Marion (-0.7 percent, -400), Bloomington (-0.5 percent, -500) and Peoria (-0.5 percent,
-900). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were Retail Trade (10 of 14), Government (9 of 14), Mining and Construction (8 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (8 of 14) and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).
“More Illinoisans are finding work as unemployment rates continue falling across the state. However, over-the-year, nearly 85 percent of the state’s job growth occurred in the northeastern part of the state. This regional job growth has masked losses in Peoria, Bloomington, Carbondale-Marion and the Quad Cities.” IDES Director Jeff Mays said. “Job growth needs to occur in all areas for a successful recovery.”
The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.5 percent in February 2015 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in February and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.
Metropolitan Area | Feb. 2015 | Feb. 2014 | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 5.0% | 6.8% | -1.8 |
Carbondale-Marion | 6.2% | 8.6% | -2.4 |
Champaign-Urbana | 5.2% | 7.4% | -2.2 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 6.6% | 8.8% | -2.2 |
Danville | 7.2% | 10.9% | -3.7 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 6.0% | 7.4% | -1.4 |
Decatur | 7.3% | 11.1% | -3.8 |
Elgin | 6.3% | 8.9% | -2.6 |
Kankakee | 7.2% | 10.4% | -3.2 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 6.0% | 8.4% | -2.4 |
Peoria | 6.6% | 9.1% | -2.5 |
Rockford | 7.0% | 10.0% | -3.0 |
Springfield | 5.6% | 7.5% | -1.9 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 6.3% | 9.1% | -2.8 |
Illinois Statewide | 6.5% | 8.8% | -2.3 |
* Data subject to revision. |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – February 2015
Metropolitan Area | February 2015* |
February 2014** |
Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA | 94,200 | 94,700 | -500 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 53,600 | 54,000 | -400 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 108,500 | 106,100 | 2,400 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Div. | 3,549,200 | 3,491,000 | 58,200 |
Danville MSA | 29,400 | 28,400 | 1,000 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA | 179,200 | 179,600 | -400 |
Decatur MSA | 49,700 | 49,800 | -100 |
Elgin Metro Division | 245,400 | 241,600 | 3,800 |
Kankakee MSA | 44,100 | 43,500 | 600 |
Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro Div. | 389,400 | 385,800 | 3,600 |
Peoria MSA | 174,000 | 174,900 | -900 |
Rockford MSA | 148,900 | 146,500 | 2,400 |
Springfield MSA | 110,000 | 108,600 | 1,400 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 225,900 | 225,100 | 800 |
Illinois Statewide | 5,809,400 | 5,732,100 | 77,300 |
*Preliminary **Revised |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Unemployment declined to 6.2 percent in February 2015 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). The February 2014 unemployment rate for the Carbondale-Marion MSA was 8.6 percent. Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Overall, labor market conditions have steadily improved during the past year in Southern Illinois. The data is not seasonally adjusted.
Employment gains were reported in Professional-Business Services and Health Care. Payroll gains also occurred in Transportation and Wholesale Trade. In mid-winter, seasonal layoffs continued in Retail Trade, Leisure-hospitality, and Construction.
Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, and Transportation in February 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Sales, and Management occupations. Career prospects were also available in Education, Finance, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupations.
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.
The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Unemployment declined to 6.2 percent in February 2015 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). The February 2014 unemployment rate for the Carbondale-Marion MSA was 8.6 percent. Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Overall, labor market conditions have steadily improved during the past year in Southern Illinois. The data is not seasonally adjusted.
Employment gains were reported in Professional-Business Services and Health Care. Payroll gains also occurred in Transportation and Wholesale Trade. In mid-winter, seasonal layoffs continued in Retail Trade, Leisure-hospitality, and Construction.
Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, and Transportation in February 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Sales, and Management occupations. Career prospects were also available in Education, Finance, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupations.
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.
The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Feb. 2015 |
Feb. 2014 |
Over-the-Year Change | |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 6.2% | 8.6% | -2.4 |
Jackson County | 5.9% | 8.0% | -2.1 |
Williamson County | 6.4% | 9.1% | -2.7 |
Other Area Counties | |||
Alexander County | 8.1% | 12.7% | -4.6 |
Franklin County | 7.9% | 11.6% | -3.7 |
Johnson County | 8.7% | 12.3% | -3.6 |
Massac County | 7.2% | 9.1% | -1.9 |
Perry County | 7.6% | 11.0% | -3.4 |
Pulaski County | 8.6% | 13.1% | -4.5 |
Randolph County | 5.8% | 8.9% | -3.1 |
Union County | 8.3% | 11.6% | -3.3 |
Harrisburg Area | |||
Gallatin County | 6.4% | 9.3% | -2.9 |
Hamilton County | 5.8% | 8.0% | -2.2 |
Hardin County | 7.5% | 9.8% | -2.3 |
Pope County | 6.6% | 9.4% | -2.8 |
Saline County | 6.8% | 10.3% | -3.5 |
White County | 5.7% | 7.6% | -1.9 |
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area | |||
Edwards County | 6.8% | 9.3% | -2.5 |
Lawrence County | 6.8% | 9.7% | -2.9 |
Richland County | 6.7% | 8.5% | -1.8 |
Wabash County | 5.9% | 8.1% | -2.2 |
Wayne County | 6.9% | 8.4% | -1.5 |