Unemployment is up three-tenths of a percent in Marion County from July to August.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports August unemployment is at 5.2-percent, up three-tenths of a percent from July and identical to the rate last August. The rate translates into a work force of 16,040 and 829 on the unemployment rolls. That’s up 30 from July.
Clinton County still has the lowest unemployment in the region at 3.5-percent. That’s up a tenth of a percent from July. Jefferson County’s rate increased three-tenths of a percent to 5.3 percent. The rate in Fayette County jumped three-tenths of a percent to an even five percent.
The unemployment rate fell in Washington County one-tenth of a percent to 3.7 percent. Clay County’s rate also fell a tenth of a percent to 5.3 percent.
For the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market, the number of nonfarm jobs decreased by 400 from August a year ago. Employment gains were reported in private education and health services, up 300 jobs. Government jobs increased 100 and construction 25. Employment levels were down 325 in trade-transportation-utilities, 175 in manufacturing, and 25 in construction. An employment loss of 325 jobs was reported in trade-transportation, 175 in manufacturing, 100 jobs in professional-business services, 75 in other services and 25 in information. No change was reported for employees in financial activities and natural resources and mining.
