The unemployment rate is way down compared to last year throughout the region. White County is at a flat 5% for July, almost half of what it was in July of 2020 (9.9%). The lowest unemployment rate in the area is Hamilton County who turned in a 4.5% for July of 2021. They were at 8.5% during the same month last year. Gallatin County is at 6.2%, Saline County – 6.8%, Wayne County – 4.8%, Edwards County – 5.2%. Hardin County has seen the largest drop from last year, but still remains the highest in the region at 7.2%. The area was 6.5 points higher in July of 2020 at 13.7%. The latest data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security suggests employment gains in the region were posted in Natural Resources and Mining, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, and Educational and Health Services. Employment declines were noted in Leisure and Hospitality, Government, and Construction.
