Unemployment was up across South Central Illinois in July.
In Marion County, unemployment jumped six-tenths of a percent to 5.8 percent. That’s 1.1 percent higher than a year ago. The numbers translate into 911 on the unemployment rolls, up from 86 2 in June. The county’s labor market also increased significantly between June and July. It grew by 387 people to 16,956.
Washington County continues to have the lowest unemployment in the region at 3.2 percent. That is up from 2.7 percent in June. The highest rate is Clay County where the rate increased six-tenths of a percent to 6.1-percent. Clinton County’s rate jumped three-tenths of a percent to 3.8 percent. Jefferson County’s rate increased seven-tenths of a percent to 5.7 percent. Fayette County’s rate increased a half-percent to 5.3 percent.
Across the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market, the number of non-farm jobs increased by 775 from July a year ago. The biggest increases were Government up 275 jobs, construction up 175, educational and health services up 150, professional and business services up 125, and leisure and hospitality up 100. There was a loss of 100 jobs in manufacturing and 75 in trade, transportation, and utilities.
