The Illinois Department of Employment Security says unemployment in Marion County in March fell to an even five percent. That’s down two-tenths of a percent from February and 1.3-percent from last March.
The size of the county’s workforce surged by 200 people, indicating more people are returning to work. Even with the increase in the size of the workforce, the number of unemployed dropped 18 to 833.
Unemployment was down in every county in South Central Illinois compared to February and March a year ago. Washington County has the lowest rate in the region at 2.3-percent. That’s down a tenth of a percent from February and six-tenths of a percent from last March. Clinton County’s unemployment fell three-tenths of a percent to 3-percent, down nine-tenths of a percent from a year ago. Jefferson County’s rate is down four-tenths of a percent to 5.1-percent. That’s a decline of 1.7-percent over last March. Fayette County’s Rate dropped seven-tenths of a percent to 4.7-percent. That’s a decline of 1.7-percent from last March. Clay County’s unemployment is at an even 5-percent, a decline of four-tenths of a percent from February and down 1.3-percent from a year ago.
The Illinois Department of Employment Services reports nonfarm employment increased by 900 people in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon job market in the past year. Leisure and Hospitality jobs increased by 425, construction 350, manufacturing 300, government 225, educational and health services 225, and professional and business services 100. A 25-percent decline was reported in both trade, transportation, and utilities as well as information.
