Unemployment in Marion County increased two-tenths of a percent in May from April. The 5.5-percent rate is the same as in May of last year.
Statistics from the State Department of Employment Security indicate the unemployment rate translates into 914 unemployed out of a workforce of 16,506. The unemployment rate increased by 44 persons during the past month, while the workforce grew by 56 people.
The lowest unemployment rate in the region is in Washington County, at 2.7-percent. That’s up four-tenths of a percent from April. Clinton County’s unemployment jumped three-tenths of a percent to 3.2-percent. Jefferson County’s rate increased two-tenths of a percent to 5.7-percent. Clay County’s rate was stable at 4.9-percent. Fayette County had a one-tenth of a percent decline to 4.7-percent.
In the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market, there were 675 non-farm jobs added to the workforce since May a year ago. Government jobs increased by 450 jobs, professional and business services positions increased by 175 jobs, and leisure and hospitality jobs jumped by 75 jobs. There was a drop of 125 jobs in manufacturing and 50 in construction.
The statewide unemployment rate is now at four and a half percent.
