Unemployment Rates Increase in Most Metro Areas
A majority of Illinois’ metropolitan (metro) areas experienced increases in their over-the-year unemployment rate and half of the metro areas had increases in nonfarm jobs, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).“While some metro areas saw job growth, too many didn’t,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Key structural reforms can help the state grow more jobs as we sharpen our efforts to help unemployed job-seekers get back to work.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in seven metro areas, in which the largest increases were seen in: Lake-Kenosha (+2.2 percent, +9,000), Rockford (+1.6 percent, +2,400), and Elgin (+1.2 percent, +3,000). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+1.3 percent or +45,900). Illinois businesses lost jobs in seven metro areas including Bloomington (-2.9 percent, -2,800), Carbondale-Marion (-1.6 percent, -900), and the Quad Cities (-1.5 percent, -2,700). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas were: Education and Health Services (12 of 14), Retail Trade (10 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (nine of 14), and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (eight of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares May 2016 with May 2015. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.6 percent in May 2016 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in May 2016 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.
Southern Illinois Highlights
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was increased to 6.1 percent in May 2016 from 5.6 percent in May 2015 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). Unemployment increased throughout Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Stagnant workforce conditions prevailed in the first five months of 2016.
Over the year, employment gains were reported in Retail Trade and Health Care Services. Manufacturing and Financial Activities firms also added workers. Seasonal payroll increases were reported in Construction, Retail Trade, and Recreation. Mining, Information and Government payrolls continued to decrease in Southern Illinois.
Employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in the spring of 2016. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Social Services, Business and Financial, Education, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Workers were also needed for Production, Health Care Support, Construction, and Building and Ground Maintenance.
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.
Note:
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was increased to 6.1 percent in May 2016 from 5.6 percent in May 2015 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). Unemployment increased throughout Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Stagnant workforce conditions prevailed in the first five months of 2016.
Over the year, employment gains were reported in Retail Trade and Health Care Services. Manufacturing and Financial Activities firms also added workers. Seasonal payroll increases were reported in Construction, Retail Trade, and Recreation. Mining, Information and Government payrolls continued to decrease in Southern Illinois.
Employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in the spring of 2016. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Social Services, Business and Financial, Education, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Workers were also needed for Production, Health Care Support, Construction, and Building and Ground Maintenance.
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.
- Monthly 2015 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2016, as required by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.
Metropolitan Area | May 2016 |
May 2015 |
Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 5.2% | 4.5% | 0.7 |
Carbondale-Marion | 6.1% | 5.6% | 0.5 |
Champaign-Urbana | 5.1% | 4.8% | 0.3 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 5.5% | 5.9% | -0.4 |
Danville | 7.3% | 6.5% | 0.8 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.4% | 5.2% | 0.2 |
Decatur | 6.8% | 6.5% | 0.3 |
Elgin | 5.3% | 5.2% | 0.1 |
Kankakee | 6.5% | 6.3% | 0.2 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.9% | 4.9% | 0.0 |
Peoria | 6.5% | 5.8% | 0.7 |
Rockford | 6.6% | 6.3% | 0.3 |
Springfield | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.8% | 5.6% | 0.2 |
Illinois Statewide | 5.6% | 5.7% | -0.1 |
* Data subject to revision. |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – May 2016
Metropolitan Area | May 2016* |
May 2015** |
Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA | 94,200 | 97,000 | -2,800 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,400 | 57,300 | -900 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 110,700 | 110,500 | 200 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,715,500 | 3,669,600 | 45,900 |
Danville MSA | 29,300 | 29,700 | -400 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 182,800 | 185,500 | -2,700 |
Decatur MSA | 51,400 | 51,700 | -300 |
Elgin Metro Division | 260,700 | 257,700 | 3,000 |
Kankakee MSA | 44,600 | 45,100 | -500 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 416,900 | 407,900 | 9,000 |
Peoria MSA | 178,300 | 180,400 | -2,100 |
Rockford MSA | 155,800 | 153,400 | 2,400 |
Springfield MSA | 114,700 | 113,700 | 1,000 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 239,200 | 238,100 | 1,100 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,035,400 | 6,001,900 | 33,500 |
*Preliminary **Revised |
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
May 2016 |
May 2015 |
Over-the-Year Change | |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 6.1% | 5.6% | 0.5 |
Jackson County | 5.7% | 5.3% 76.0% |
0.4 |
Williamson County | 6.5% | 5.8% | 0.7 |
Other Area Counties | |||
Alexander County | 9.0% | 8.2% | 0.8 |
Franklin County | 8.5% | 7.3% | 1.2 |
Johnson County | 8.5% | 7.9% | 0.6 |
Massac County | 7.0% | 6.9% | 0.1 |
Perry County | 7.1% | 6.9% | 0.2 |
Pulaski County | 9.5% | 7.8% | 1.7 |
Randolph County | 5.3% | 5.2% | 0.1 |
Union County | 7.4% | 7.2% | 0.2 |
Harrisburg Area | |||
Gallatin County | 8.4% | 6.3% | 2.1 |
Hamilton County | 6.0% | 4.7% | 1.3 |
Hardin County | 8.6% | 7.8% | 0.8 |
Pope County | 6.9% | 6.3% | 0.6 |
Saline County | 8.4% | 7.0% | 1.4 |
White County | 6.8% | 5.3% | 1.5 |
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area | |||
Edwards County | 5.5% | 5.5% | 0.0 |
Lawrence County | 7.0% | 6.5% | 0.5 |
Richland County | 6.4% | 5.4% | 1.0 |
Wabash County | 5.9% | 5.2% | 0.7 |
Wayne County | 8.5% | 6.8% | 1.7 |