Unemployment is down across South Central Illinois.
The rate in Marion County fell a half percent from June to 4.2 percent and is eight tenths of a percent lower than a year ago. That translates into a drop in the number of unemployed from 753 in June to 668 in July. The number of employed also fell 126 people to 16,019.
The lowest unemployment rate in the region is in Clinton County at 2.6-percent, down six tenths of a percent from June. Washington County’s unemployment is at an even three percent, down a half percent. Clay County’s rate fell two-tenths of a percent to 3.8-percent. Fayette County’s unemployment dropped seven tenths of a percent to an even four percent. Jefferson County’s unemployment remained stable at 4.6 percent. Unemployment throughout the region is lower than a year ago.
Total nonfarm employment in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market decreased by 675 jobs from a year ago. Private education and health services is down 300 jobs, and government is down 100 jobs. The biggest losses were in professional-business services down 300 jobs, trade-transportation-utilities down 250 jobs, manufacturing down 225 jobs, leisure-hospitality down 175 jobs and financial activities down 125 jobs.
Statewide, unemployment in July was 4.6 percent, a tenth of a percent lower than in July of last year.
