Unemployment is up in Marion County in August from the prior month.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports 6.5-percent of the workforce was without a job, up four-tenths of a percent from July but still 1.7-percent lower than August a year ago. The number translates into a total labor force in August of 16,582, with 1,086 unemployed. The labor force dropped 45
people and the number unemployed increased 69 from July.
Washington County has the lowest unemployment in the region at 2.9-percent. That’s down two-tenths of a percent from July and down one-percent in August of last year.
Clinton County’s unemployment is up one-tenth of a percent to 3.8-percent and down 1.5-percent from last August. In Jefferson County, unemployment is up a half-percent to 6.9-percent but down two percent from last August. Fayette County’s rate increased a half percent to 5.4-percent but down 2.3-percent from a year ago. Clay County’s unemployment is up six tenths of a percent to 5.9-percent. That’s down 1.9-percent from a year ago.
The employment security department reports across the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market, there are 200 more jobs than August of last year. The biggest increases were in manufacturing and professional and business services, both up 150 jobs. The biggest decreases were in government, down 200 jobs and educational and health services down 50 jobs.
