The unemployment rate for the Quad Cities metropolitan statistical area increased to 4.9% in October 2023 from 3.4% in October 2022. The region also was one of the three Illinois MSAs to record jobless rate increases for the month.
The other two MSAs recording big unemployment rate increases were Decatur, up 1.2 percentage points to 6.1% last month, and Rockford, which was up 1.2 percentage points to 6.1%, according to data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
Across Illinois, total nonfarm jobs increased in October year-over-year in 11 metro areas including the Quad Cities.
“With consistent gains in payroll jobs, jobseekers and employers continue to find new opportunities to land their next jobs and fill open positions,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the IDES news release. “Further investments in workforce development throughout the state, coupled with the employment resources provided by IDES and its partners, continue to provide a strong foundation for the Illinois labor market.”
For example, overall for the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA, total nonfarm jobs increased +700 compared to revised October 2022 figures.
QC adds, loses jobs
Payroll gains in the QC year-over-year included the following sectors: Government (+3,000), Leisure-Hospitality (+900), Educational-Health Services (+400), and Other Services (+100). The largest employment declines in October were in these Quad Cities’ sectors: Professional-Business Services (-2,400); Retail Trade (-600); Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (-200); and Manufacturing (-200).
According to IDES, the October unemployment rate compared to a year ago in the Illinois Quad Cities by county were:
- Henry County – 5.2% up 1.5 percentage points from 3.7%.
- Mercer County – 4.3% up 1.1 percentage points from 3.2%.
- Rock Island County – 5.8% up 1.9 percentage from 3.9%.
Year over year the October unemployment rates by area cities included:
- Galesburg – 6.5% up 1.3 percentage points from 5.2%.
- Moline – 5.7% up 1.8 percentage points from 3.9%.
- Rock Island – 5.7% up 1.5 percentage points from $4.2%.
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.
