Unemployment dropped slightly in Marion County and South Central Illinois in November.
The latest unemployment numbers for Marion County show a 4.6-percent unemployment rate, down two-tenths of a percent from October. The November rate is identical to a year ago.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports the unemployment numbers translate into 760 on the unemployment rolls in November, down 34 from October. The county’s labor force decreased by 112 people to 16,559.
Washington County had the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 2.4 percent, down one-tenth of a percent from October. Clinton County’s rate dropped two-tenths of a percent to 2.9 percent. Jefferson County’s rate was also down two-tenths of a percent to 4.6 percent. Fayette County’s rate dropped one-tenth of a percent to 4.3 percent. Clay County’s rate also fell a tenth of a percent to an even five percent.
For the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market, total nonfarm employment increased by 25 jobs since November a year ago. The largest increases were in private education-health services up 175 jobs, government up 125 jobs, construction as well as professional/business services increased 75 jobs apiece. The biggest payroll decreases year-over-year were manufacturing down 250 jobs and trade-transportation and utilities down 175 jobs.
