The unemployment rate for the Quad Cities metro area rose to 4.7% in August compared to 3.7% a year ago, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced.
In its unemployment report last week, IDES cited data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It showed that total nonfarm jobs increased by 1,100 jobs to 184,000 in the Quad Cities over the year.
In fact, the Quad Cities region was one of 11 Illinois metropolitan areas where nonfarm jobs increased. Nonfarm jobs decreased in two areas and were unchanged in one, according to IDES.
In year-over-year comparisons, the unemployment rate increased in 13 metropolitan areas and decreased in only one: Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division, where unemployment was down -0.2 percentage point to 5.0%.
“Steady, consistent job growth statewide continues to boost a strengthening Illinois economy,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the IDES unemployment news release. “A growing labor market and newly created jobs are giving workers and jobseekers the opportunity to reenter the workforce and pivot career choices that better suit the talent and diversity of the state workforce.”
The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island metropolitan statistical area (MSA) showed the largest year-over-year payroll gains in these sectors in August. Leisure-Hospitality (+1,800), Government (+800), and Educational-Health Services (+400). Over-the-year employment declines hit these Quad Cities job sectors: Professional-Business Services (-1,200), Retail Trade (-300), and Construction (-300).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Danville MSA (+2 points to 7.1%), the Rockford MSA (+1.9 points to 7.4%), and the Decatur MSA (+1.7 points to 7.2%).
Other unemployment rates in August across the Quad Cities area included:
Counties
- Rock Island, 5.4%, up 1.2%
- Henry, 5.4%, up 1.4%
- Mercer, 4.6%, up 1.3%
Cities
- Moline, 5.1%, up 0.7%
- Rock Island, 5.7%, up 1.4%
- Galesburg, 7.2%, up 1.6%
The unemployment rate statewide in Illinois was 5.3% in August, which was up 0.5% from a year ago. Total nonfarm jobs statewide were up 77,700 in August to 6.153 million.
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.
