All fourteen metropolitan areas of Illinois saw a lower unemployment rate from the month before. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says data indicates record lows for the month of December in three metro areas and 33 counties. The state’s unemployment rate for December was 3.5 percent, a tenth of a percent higher than the national average, according to state officials.
Southern Illinois Highlights
Carbondale – Marion Area
Non-farm employment increased by +1,100 compared to last December.
Employment gains were posted in the Private sector (+800) and Government (+300).
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Labor Market Area | Dec. 2019 | Dec. 2018 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Carbondale – Marion MSA | 3.7% | 5.2% | -1.5% |
| Jackson County | 3.4% | 4.9% | -1.5% |
| Williamson County | 4.0% | 5.5% | -1.5% |
| Surrounding Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 5.5% | 8.1% | -2.6% |
| Franklin County | 4.8% | 6.9% | -2.1% |
| Johnson County | 5.7% | 8.5% | -2.8% |
| Massac County | 5.5% | 7.2% | -1.7% |
| Perry County | 4.5% | 6.4% | -1.9% |
| Pulaski County | 6.3% | 8.7% | -2.4% |
| Randolph County | 3.5% | 4.8% | -1.3% |
| Union County | 5.9% | 7.6% | -1.7% |
Surrounding Counties
Non-farm employment increased by +900 compared to last December.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+300), Educational & Health Services (+300), Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+100), and Leisure & Hospitality (+100). Slight increases were reported in Professional & Business Services, Retail Trade, Financial Activities, Information, Other Services, and Wholesale Trade.
Slight decreases were reported in Natural Resources & Mining, Construction, and Manufacturing.
Harrisburg Area
Non-farm employment increased by +400 over the year.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+200), Professional & Business Services (+100), Financial Services (+100), and Leisure & Hospitality (+100). Slight increases were reported in Educational & Health Services, Information, Wholesale Trade, Construction, and Manufacturing.
Employment in Retail Trade, Other Services, Natural Resources & Mining, and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities declined slightly.
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 4.4% | 6.0% | -1.6% |
| Hamilton County | 3.0% | 4.5% | -1.5% |
| Hardin County | 5.9% | 8.3% | -2.4% |
| Pope County | 5.1% | 6.9% | -1.8% |
| Saline County | 4.9% | 6.8% | -1.9% |
| White County | 3.8% | 5.0% | -1.2% |
Olney – Mt. Carmel Area
Non-farm employment increased by +500 over the year.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+200), Educational & Health Services (+100), Wholesale Trade (+100), and Retail Trade (+100). Slight employment gains were posted in Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities, Financial Activities, Natural Resources & Mining, Professional & Business Services, Construction, and Information.
Employment in Other Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Manufacturing declined slightly.
| Olney – Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 4.2% | 5.8% | -1.6% |
| Lawrence County | 5.4% | 7.2% | -1.8% |
| Richland County | 3.7% | 4.9% | -1.2% |
| Wabash County | 3.0% | 5.0% | -2.0% |
| Wayne County | 4.4% | 5.9% | -1.5% |
