Press Release - Thursday, April 22, 2021
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Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down for Every Metro Area Compared to Last March
SPRINGFIELD - The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in March, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas. The official, BLS approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.
"As the state moves through pandemic recovery and the economy begins to heal itself, the major focus remains on assisting claimants and providing support to those still impacted," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "IDES remains committed to administering benefits and providing job-matching services to individuals dislocated from their jobs as a result of the pandemic and eager to jump back into the workforce."
The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-7.5%, -280,400), the Kankakee MSA (-7.1%, -3,200), and the Decatur MSA (-6.3%, -3,100). Three metro areas recorded their lowest total nonfarm jobs for the month of March on record (dating back to 1990).
Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in all 14 metropolitan areas; the metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (+3.8 points to 7.7%), Decatur MSA (+3.4 points to 8.6%), the Rockford MSA (+2.8 points to 8.1%). The not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in March 2021. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in March 2021.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | March 2021* | March 2020** | Over-the-Year Change | |
Bloomington | 5.0% | 3.2% | 1.8 | |
Carbondale-Marion | 6.1% | 3.7% | 2.4 | |
Champaign-Urbana | 4.9% | 3.0% | 1.9 | |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 7.7% | 3.9% | 3.8 | |
Danville | 6.9% | 4.3% | 2.6 | |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.9% | 4.4% | 1.5 | |
Decatur | 8.6% | 5.2% | 3.4 | |
Elgin | 7.0% | 4.5% | 2.5 | |
Kankakee | 7.5% | 4.9% | 2.6 | |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 6.2% | 4.3% | 1.9 | |
Peoria | 6.9% | 4.5% | 2.4 | |
Rockford | 8.1% | 5.3% | 2.8 | |
Springfield | 6.3% | 3.6% | 2.7 | |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.6% | 3.4% | 2.2 | |
Illinois Statewide | 7.1% | 4.0% | 3.1 | |
* Preliminary I ** Revised |
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Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - March 2021
Metropolitan Area | March | March | Over-the-Year |
| 2021* | 2020** | Change |
Bloomington MSA | 86,400 | 91,900 | -5,500 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 55,100 | 57,800 | -2,700 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 116,200 | 117,900 | -1,700 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,461,600 | 3,742,000 | -280,400 |
Danville MSA | 26,300 | 27,000 | -700 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 174,700 | 182,900 | -8,200 |
Decatur MSA | 46,100 | 49,200 | -3,100 |
Elgin Metro Division | 237,600 | 253,400 | -15,800 |
Kankakee MSA | 41,900 | 45,100 | -3,200 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 391,800 | 410,800 | -19,000 |
Peoria MSA | 157,600 | 167,300 | -9,700 |
Rockford MSA | 137,500 | 145,600 | -8,100 |
Springfield MSA | 101,000 | 106,600 | -5,600 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 227,000 | 238,000 | -11,000 |
Illinois Statewide | 5,661,500 | 6,020,300 | -358,800 |
*Preliminary |**Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Mar 2021 | Mar 2020 | Over the Year Change |
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Carbondale-Marion MSA | 6.1 % | 3.7 % | 2.4 | ||
Jackson County | 5.9 % | 3.2 % | 2.7 | ||
Williamson County | 6.2 % | 4.1 % | 2.1 | ||
Surrounding Counties |
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Alexander County | 8.3 % | 6.2 % | 2.1 | ||
Franklin County | 7.2 % | 5.0 % | 2.2 | ||
Johnson County | 6.7 % | 5.4 % | 1.3 | ||
Massac County | 6.4 % | 4.9 % | 1.5 | ||
Perry County | 6.1 % | 4.2 % | 1.9 | ||
Pulaski County | 10.3 % | 7.9 % | 2.4 | ||
Randolph County | 4.4 % | 3.1 % | 1.3 | ||
Union County | 6.7 % | 5.8 % | 0.9 | ||
Harrisburg Area |
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Gallatin County | 6.4 % | 5.6 % | 0.8 | ||
Hamilton County | 4.9 % | 3.5 % | 1.4 | ||
Hardin County | 7.3 % | 6.1 % | 1.2 | ||
Pope County | 5.7 % | 5.0 % | 0.7 | ||
Saline County | 7.4 % | 5.3 % | 2.1 | ||
White County | 5.6 % | 3.7 % | 1.9 | ||
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area |
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Edwards County | 5.3 % | 4.6 % | 0.7 | ||
Lawrence County | 6.4 % | 4.4 % | 2.0 | ||
Richland County | 4.6 % | 3.6 % | 1.0 | ||
Wabash County | 5.1 % | 3.6 % | 1.5 | ||
Wayne County | 5.4 % | 4.2 % | 1.2 | ||
Other Areas |
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LWIA 23 | 5.4 % | 3.6 % | 1.8 | ||
LWIA 24 | 5.7 % | 3.4 % | 2.3 | ||
LWIA 25 | 6.3 % | 3.9 % | 2.4 | ||
LWIA 26 | 6.3 % | 4.8 % | 1.5 | ||
Southern EDR | 6.3 % | 4.3 % | 2.0 |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Carbondale - Marion Area
The March 2021 unemployment rate was 6.1 percent. This was an increase of +2.4 percentage points from March 2020 of 3.7 percent. Total nonfarm employment in March 2021 decreased (-2,700) compared to last March.
Employment losses were posted in Government (-600).
Surrounding Counties
Total nonfarm employment decreased by -1,625 compared to March 2020.
March payrolls declined in Educational and Health Services (-400), Government (-325), Manufacturing (-275), Leisure and Hospitality (-250), Natural Resources and Mining (-150), Professional and Business Services (-100), Other Services (-50), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-25), and Information (-25).
Construction posted (+25) gains while Financial Activities showed no change.
Harrisburg Area
Total nonfarm employment decreased by -725 compared to March 2020.
Employment gains were posted in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+100).
Employment declined in Natural Resources and Mining (-225), Leisure and Hospitality (-150), Education and Health Services (-125), Government (-100), Manufacturing (-75), Other Services (-50), Professional and Business Services (-50), Construction (-50), and Financial Activities (-25) and Information (-25).
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area
Total nonfarm employment decreased by -625 compared to March 2020.
Employment gains were posted in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+250).
Employment declined in Educational and Health Services (-300), Manufacturing (-150), Leisure and Hospitality (-125), Government (-125), Natural Resources and Mining (-75), Construction (-50), Other Services (-25) and Financial Activities (-25).
No payroll changes were reported in Professional and Business Services, and Information.
Note: Monthly 2020 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2021, 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.
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