Unemployment Rate Falls in Thirteen Metros - Unchanged in One

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in August in thirteen of Illinois's metropolitan areas and was unchanged in one, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in ten of the metropolitan areas.

"The unemployment rate continued its downward trend in all metro areas except one where it was unchanged," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "These are some of the lowest unemployment rates we have seen in years. In fact, for the sixth consecutive month, the Chicago metro area had its lowest unemployment rate on record."

Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+6.2 percent, +2,900), Champaign-Urbana (+1.6 percent, +1,700), the Quad Cities (+1.1 percent, + 2,100), and Rockford (+1.1 percent, +1,600). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.8 percent or +28,400). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Carbondale-Marion (-0.9 percent, -500), Springfield (-0.3 percent, -400), and Bloomington (-0.2 percent, -200). Total nonfarm jobs were unchanged in Peoria.

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Manufacturing (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (10 of 14), Professional and Business Services (10 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (9 of 14), and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares August 2018 with August 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.2 percent in August 2018 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in August 2018 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work, and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2018

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.8 percent in August 2018 from 5.6 percent in August 2017. The August 2018 unemployment rate of 3.8 percent is the lowest August unemployment rate on record. For the month of August 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 143,500.
Total nonfarm employment increased +28,400 compared to August 2017. Educational-Health Services (+7,300), Government (+7,100), Construction (+6,100), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+5,400) reported the largest payroll gains.  The Retail Trade (-6,300) and Information (-4,500) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in August 2018 from 4.6 percent in August 2017. The last time the August rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.2 percent.  For the month of August 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 14,500.
Total nonfarm employment increased +2,600 compared to August 2017. Professional-Business Services (+1,400) and Construction (+1,200) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. Manufacturing (-900), Educational-Health Services (-400), and Information
(-100) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago.

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent in August 2018 from 4.2 percent in August 2017. The last time the August rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2000 when it was 3.5 percent.  For the month of August 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 19,200.
Total nonfarm employment increased +800 compared to August 2017. Manufacturing (+2,600), Financial Activities (+800), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+800), and Construction (+800) sectors reported the largest payroll gains.    The Leisure-Hospitality (-1,700), Retail Trade (-1,100), and Educational-Health Services (-1,100) sectors recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.

Note: Monthly 2017 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2018, as required by the U.S. BLS.  Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.