Unemployment in Marion County increased a tenth of a percent to 4.7-percent in November compared to October, but the rate is still 1.1-percent lower than in November a year ago.
Numbers from the Illinois Department of Employment Security report both the size of Marion County’s labor pool and the number on unemployment increased during the past month. The number of unemployed grew to 777, up 19 from the prior month. The workforce grew by 195 to 16,619 people.
Unemployment was up in Washington County two-tenths of a percent to 2.3-percent.
Three counties had flat unemployment rates from October to November. Jefferson County’s unemployment rate was flat at 4.8-percent each month, Fayette County’s was at 3.7-percent each month, and Clay County’s was at 4.2-percent each month.
Clinton County’s rate fell a tenth of a percent to 2.5-percent.
All area counties had a decline in unemployment of more than one percent from November a year ago, except Washington County where the drop in unemployment from a year ago was four-tenths of a percent.
In the Centralia-Mt. Vernon employment area, total nonfarm employment was up 550 jobs during the past year. The biggest increases were in professional and business services up 150 jobs, government up 125 jobs, and manufacturing up 75 jobs. The only area to show a decline was financial activities, down 25 people.
Deputy Governor Andy Manar said November’s continued positive growth is another encouraging sign for the state’s strengthening economy. He says as we look towards the new year, Illinois is committed to building on this momentum to ensure workers and businesses continue t thrive across the state.
