The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports unemployment dipped across all of South Central Illinois in November.
In Marion County, the rate dropped eight-tenths of a percent to 4.3 percent. That translates into 724 unemployed, down from 861 in October. The county’s labor force increased by 25 people to 16,915. The unemployment rate is one-tenth of a percent higher than in November of last year.
The lowest unemployment rate is in Washington County where it fell a half-percent to 2.2-percent. Jefferson County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.8 percent to four percent. Clinton County’s rate fell six-tenths of a percent to 2.6 percent. Fayette County’s rate is at four percent, a drop of four-tenths of a percent. Clay County’s unemployment rate fell four-tenths of a percent to 5.1-percent.
In the Centralia-Mt. Vernon market area, total nonfarm employment increased 925 jobs from last November. Employment increased in leisure and hospitality by 375 jobs, government by 275 jobs, professional and business services up by 175 jobs, construction up 100 jobs, educational and health services are both up by 75 jobs, and natural resources and mining were up 25 jobs. There was no change in employment level for the Information industry. Payrolls decreased by 150 in manufacturing as well as 75 in trade, transportation, and utilities.
