The Quad Cities unemployment rate rose in March and jobs fell in the region, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. CREDIT IDES
The Quad Cities was one of 11 Illinois metropolitan statistical areas to see over-the-year increases in its March 2024 unemployment rates. At the same time, the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA recorded one of the largest decreases in nonfarm jobs in the state. According to data released late last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics […]
The Quad Cities was one of 11 Illinois metropolitan statistical areas to see over-the-year increases in its March 2024 unemployment rates. At the same time, the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA recorded one of the largest decreases in nonfarm jobs in the state.According to data released late last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), over-the-year March unemployment rate percentages increased in 11 MSAs, decreased in two, and remained unchanged in one. That's below February totals when unemployment remained stable.In the Quad Cities MSA, non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 4.6% in March 2024. That compared to 4.3% in March 2023, IDES announced in a news release on Thursday, April 25.The areas with the largest over-the-year unemployment rate percentages increases were: the Chicago Metro (+0.8 point to 4.7%), the Bloomington MSA (+0.6 point to 4.2%), and the Illinois section of St. Louis MSA (+0.6 point to 4.4%). The unemployment rate decreased in the Rockford MSA (-0.5 point to 6.7%) and the Decatur MSA (-0.2 point to 6.2%). It was unchanged in the Danville MSA at 5.7%.Statewide over-the-year total nonfarm jobs increased in nine metropolitan areas. It decreased in four, and was unchanged in one for the year ending March 2024. “Job growth continues to reach areas in every corner of the state throughout industries, creating new and expanded job opportunities for Illinois workers,” Illinois Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said. “IDES and its workforce partners remain prepared and committed to matching jobseekers and employers to find the right fit for their careers and employment needs.”The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA, +2.2%, +2,700 jobs; the Elgin Metro,+1.6%, +4,100; and the Kankakee MSA, +1.2%, +500.
Jobs down QC, statewide
The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Springfield MSA, -4.0%, -4,400 jobs; the Decatur MSA, -3.9%, -1,900; and the Quad Cities MSA down -1.4%, -2,500.According to the breakdown provided by IDES and BLS, unemployment rates in the Quad Cities area in March 2024 compared to March 2023 were:
Henry County – 5.6%, up 0.6% from 5%
Mercer County – 6% up by 0.4% from 5.6%
Rock Island County – 5.5% up by 0.4% from 5.1%.
Moline – 5.4% up 0.2% from 5.2%.
Rock Island – 5.5% up 0.7% from 4.8%.
Galesburg – 6% up 0.5% from 5.5%.
In the Chicago Metro, total nonfarm jobs were down -0.1% or -4,400. Total nonfarm jobs were unchanged in the Carbondale-Marion MSA. Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas/ They7 included: Government (13 areas); Private Education and Health Services (10 areas); Mining and Construction and Other Services (nine areas each); and Wholesale Trade (eight areas).Overall in the state, total nonfarm employment decreased -2,500 compared to March 2023.Overall-the-year payroll gains were: Other Services (+300), Wholesale Trade (+300), Government (+300), Financial Activities (+100) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+100). The Professional-Business Services (-2,200), Manufacturing (-600), Construction (-400), Sectors recording over-the-year declines were Leisure-Hospitality (-300) and Private Education-Health Services (-100).The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.Monthly 2023 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2024. That's required by the U.S. BLS.
