Jobs up in Twelve Metro Areas
The unemployment rate decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas compared to last August, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also shows the number of nonfarm jobs increased in twelve Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in two.
| Labor Market Area |
Aug. 2019 |
Aug. 2018 |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | |||
| DeWitt County |
3.8% |
5.4% |
-1.6 |
| McLean County |
3.6% |
4.4% |
-0.8 |
| Peoria MSA | |||
| Marshall County |
3.9% |
4.9% |
-1.0 |
| Peoria County |
4.7% |
5.5% |
-0.8 |
| Stark County |
4.9% |
5.8% |
-0.9 |
| Tazewell County |
4.0% |
4.8% |
-0.8 |
| Woodford County |
3.4% |
4.0% |
-0.6 |
| Ottawa-Streator Area |
4.3% |
5.4% |
-1.1 |
| Bureau County |
3.9% |
4.8% |
-0.9 |
| LaSalle County |
4.4% |
5.6% |
-1.2 |
| Putnam County |
3.9% |
4.9% |
-1.0 |
| Galesburg Area |
4.4% |
5.3% |
-0.9 |
| Knox County |
4.4% |
5.3% |
-0.9 |
| Warren County |
3.6% |
4.3% |
-0.7 |
| Cities | |||
| Bloomington City |
3.7% |
4.6% |
-0.9 |
| Galesburg City |
4.8% |
5.8% |
-1.0 |
| Normal City |
3.3% |
4.2% |
-0.9 |
| Pekin City |
4.6% |
5.4% |
-0.8 |
| Peoria City |
5.0% |
5.8% |
-0.8 |
| Counties | |||
| Fulton County |
5.0% |
6.1% |
-1.1 |
| Henderson County |
4.6% |
5.0% |
-0.4 |
| Henry County |
4.1% |
4.9% |
-0.8 |
| Livingston County |
3.6% |
4.6% |
-1.0 |
| Logan County |
4.1% |
4.8% |
-0.7 |
| Mason County |
5.0% |
6.2% |
-1.2 |
Central Illinois Highlights
Bloomington MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.6 percent in August 2019 from 4.4 per cent in August 2018. There were an estimated 3,350 unemployed people in the labor force in August 2019.
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by (+300) compared to one year ago. Job gains were reported in Leisure & Hospitality (+400), Government (+300), Professional & Business Services (+200), and Construction (+100). Declines were reported in Manufacturing (-300), Financial Activities (-200), Retail Trade (-100), and Educational & Health Services (-100). All other major industry sectors were little changed compared to a year ago.
Peoria MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.3 percent in August 2019 from 5.1 percent in August 2018. There were an estimated 7,700 unemployed people in the labor force in August 2019.
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-500) compared to one year ago. Job gains were reported in Wholesale Trade (+300), Government (+200), Construction (+200), and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+200). Declines were reported in Retail Trade (-600), Educational & Health Services (-300), Manufacturing (-300), Leisure & Hospitality (-100), and Professional & Business Services
(-100). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.
Ottawa-Streator Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.3 percent in August 2019 from 5.4 percent in August 2018. There were an estimated 3,300 unemployed people in the labor force in August 2019. Over the year, nonfarm payrolls increased by (+1,200) compared to a year ago. The largest gains occurred in Government (+725), Leisure & Hospitality (+175), Manufacturing (+100), Educational & Health Services (+75), Other Services (+50), and Construction (+50). Declines were reported in Professional & Business Services (-100) and Financial Activities (-50). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.
Galesburg Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in August 2019 from 5.3 percent in August 2018. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-75). The largest gains occurred in Government (+300) and Educational & Health Services (+100). Declines were reported in Leisure & Hospitality (-125) and Financial Activities (-50) from a year ago.
Pontiac Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.6 percent in August 2019 from 4.6 percent in August 2018. Nonfarm payroll employment remained unchanged compared to one year ago. Job gains were reported in Government (+225), Professional & Business Services (+50), and Leisure & Hospitality (+50). Declines were reported in Information (-150), Construction (-50), and Educational & Health Services (-50) from a year ago.
Note: Monthly 2018 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2019, as required by the U.S. 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.
