Job Growth Continues to Lag Nation in Most Metro Areas

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area	Aug. 2017	Aug. 2016		Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington	4.2%	5.3%	-1.1
Carbondale-Marion	5.0%	5.9%	-0.9
Champaign-Urbana	4.6%	5.2%	-0.6
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights	5.4%	5.9%	-0.5
Danville	6.9%	7.4%	-0.5
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	4.5%	5.3%	-0.8
Decatur	5.9%	6.8%	-0.9
Elgin	4.7%	5.3%	-0.6
Kankakee	5.3%	6.3%	-1.0
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	4.3%	4.9%	-0.6
Peoria	5.3%	6.3%	-1.0
Rockford	5.7%	6.6%	-0.9
Springfield	4.2%	4.7%	-0.5
St. Louis (IL-Section)	4.9%	5.9%	-1.0
Illinois Statewide	5.2%	5.8%	-0.6
* Data subject to revision.

CHICAGO–Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in August in all of Illinois’s metropolitan areas and all but one county, 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 show nonfarm jobs increased in twelve of the metropolitan areas and decreased in two.

“More areas showed job gains in August, but the pace of growth is not where we would like it to be,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “While it is encouraging that unemployment rates declined from last year, most areas in Illinois are still higher than the national average.”

Illinois businesses added jobs in twelve metro areas, with the largest increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.3 percent, +1,300), Bloomington (+1.9 percent, +1,700), and Lake (+1.6 percent, +6,600). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.5 percent or +18,700). Illinois businesses lost jobs in two metro areas: Danville (-1.8 percent, -500) and Elgin (-0.4 percent, -900).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Professional and Business Services (9 of 14), Educational and Health Services (9 of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares August 2017 with August 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.2 percent in August 2017 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 August 2017 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.

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – August 2017

Metropolitan Area	August 2017*	August 2016**		Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA	93,000	91,300	1,700
Carbondale-Marion MSA	58,200	56,900	1,300
Champaign-Urbana MSA	103,900	103,700	200
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division	3,756,900	3,738,200	18,700
Danville MSA	27,900	28,400	-500
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA	184,700	184,300	400
Decatur MSA	51,400	51,300	100
Elgin Metro Division	254,200	255,100	-900
Kankakee MSA	44,700	44,400	300
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division	423,200	416,600	6,600
Peoria MSA	177,000	176,600	400
Rockford MSA	151,500	151,400	100
Springfield MSA	118,600	118,100	500
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA	236,300	234,800	1,500
Illinois Statewide	6,054,500	6,029,800	24,700
	Preliminary *Revised

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

	Aug.2017	Aug.2016	Over-the-Year Change
Carbondale-Marion MSA	5.0%	5.9%	-0.9
Jackson County	4.6%	5.5%	-0.9
Williamson County	5.4%	6.3%	-0.9
Other Area Counties
Alexander County	9.4%	10.3%	-0.9
Franklin County	6.5%	8.2%	-1.7
Johnson County	7.7%	8.7%	-1.0
Massac County	7.1%	7.7%	-0.6
Perry County	5.9%	7.1%	-1.2
Pulaski County	8.7%	8.5%	0.2
Randolph County	4.5%	4.8%	-0.3
Union County	5.9%	7.1%	-1.2
Harrisburg Area
Gallatin County	5.5%	7.7%	-2.2
Hamilton County	4.9%	6.6%	-1.7
Hardin County	7.8%	9.7%	-1.9
Pope County	6.6%	6.9%	-0.3
Saline County	7.0%	8.7%	-1.7
White County	5.0%	6.5%	-1.5
Olney – Mt. Carmel Area
Edwards County	4.4%	5.3%	-0.9
Lawrence County	6.3%	7.8%	-1.5
Richland County	4.9%	5.7%	-0.8
Wabash County	5.4%	6.9%	-1.5
Wayne County	6.2%	9.2%	-3.0

Southern Illinois Highlights

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in August 2017 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). In August 2016, the jobless rate was 5.9 percent. There were approximately 3,000 unemployed in August 2017 in the two counties. Unemployment decreased in 20 out of 21 counties compared to one year- ago.

Employment gains were reported in August 2017 in Leisure-Hospitality and Retail Trade as excitement about the solar eclipse emerged in Southern Illinois. Hotels, Eating and Drinking Places, Retail stores, and Recreation areas, all reported significantly increased business in mid-August due to the solar eclipse. Over the year, employment increases were reported in Health Care Services and Professional-Business Services as well as Retail Trade and Leisure-Hospitality. Payroll losses occurred in Mining, Information, and Financial Activities during the past year.

Numerous employment opportunities were advertised in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in summer 2017. Many job openings were available in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Social Services, Health Care Support, Education, Production, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Various outdoor jobs were offered for workers in 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:

Monthly 2016 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February 2017, 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.