Unemployment dropped in Marion and all area counties in July.
Data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported Marion County’s unemployment rate at 6.1-percent. That’s down eight-tenths of a percent from June and 4.8-percent lower than in July of last year. The July number translates into a labor force of 16,830 with 1.019 unemployed. The number of unemployed is down 22 from last month. The size of the labor force increased just under 100 people.
The lowest rate in the region is in Washington County at 3.1-percent, a drop of eight-tenths of a percent from June. Clinton County’s rate fell four-tenths of a percent to 3.7-percent. Jefferson County’s unemployment is at 6.4-percent a drop of eight-tenths of a percent. Fayette County’s rate dropped four-tenths of a percent to 4.9-percent. In Clay County, the rate dropped eight-tenths of a percent to 5.3-percent.
In the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market, employment increased by 1,025 compared to July a year ago. The biggest increase was manufacturing up 550 jobs. Trade, transportation, and utilities are up 175, professional and business services were also up 175 jobs, and natural resources and mining increased by 175 jobs. The largest decrease in employment was government jobs, down 200 jobs.
