Unemployment was up across South Central Illinois in December.
Marion County registered a 5.4-percent unemployment rate, up three-tenths of a percent from November and up 1.2 percent from December a year. The numbers translate into 856 on the unemployment rolls in December, up 46 from November. The county’s labor force also shrunk by 86 people to 15,771.
Clinton County has the lowest unemployment in the region, but still was a half percent increase to 3.8 percent. The rate is nine-tenths of a percent higher than a year ago. 606 are currently listed as unemployed.
Washington County’s unemployment rose three-tenths of a percent to 3.9 percent and is 1.1 percent higher than last December. 268 were on unemployment.
Jefferson County’s unemployment was up three-tenths of a percent to 5.6 percent an increase of one and a half percent from a year ago. Those on unemployment totaled 858.
In Fayette County, unemployment was up six-tenths of percent from November and totaled 6.1 percent. That was also up one and a half percent from a year ago. 537 were on the unemployment rolls.
In Clay County, unemployment was up six tenths of a percent from November to 6.2 percent. That’s up 1.6 percent from a year ago. The number of unemployed was listed as 347.
Total nonfarm employment in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon job market declined 475 jobs in the past year. The biggest increases were in private education-health services up 325 jobs, government up 100 jobs and construction up 25 jobs. The biggest decreases were in trade-transportation-utilities down 450 jobs, leisure-hospitality down 150 jobs, and manufacturing down 125 jobs.
Statewide unemployment is now at 4.8 percent, up a half percent from December a year ago.
