×

Unemployment fell across South Central Illinois in April.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported unemployment dropped nine-tenths of a percent in April to 3.5-percent.  That’s nine-tenths of a percent lower than in March and a full percent lower than a year ago.

The data translates into 560 on the unemployment rolls in Marion County, down 150 from March.   The county’s work force also grew 190 people to 16,204.

The lowest unemployment in the region is in Clinton County at 2.2-percent, down seven-tenths of a percent from March.  Washington County’s rate fell a full percent to 2.7-percent.  Jefferson County’s rate was down seven-tenths of a percent to 3.6-percent.   Fayette County’s rate dropped a full percent to 3.5-percent.  Clay County’s employment dropped a full percent to 3.6 percent.

Total nonfarm employment decreased by 350 jobs in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon area in the past year.  The biggest increases were in private education-health services up 225 jobs and government up 175 jobs.  The biggest declines were in manufacturing down 250 jobs, trade-transportation-utilities down 200 jobs, and leisure-hospitality down 150 jobs.