The monthly unemployment rate in the Quad Cities increased 0.7% to 5.4% in October as nonfarm employment dropped by 1,800 jobs from the same period a year ago, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was one of six Illinois metropolitan areas posting higher unemployment compared to October of 2023. In addition, the unemployment rate decreased in six of the state’s MSAs and was unchanged in another two.
In October 2023, the Quad Cities’ unemployment rate was 4.7%.
The monthly jobs report – based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), also showed that total nonfarm jobs increased over the year in eight metropolitan areas and decreased in six (including the QC) for the year ending October 2024.
“Illinois continues to benefit from job growth and positive economic trends in every corner of the state,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the IDES news release. “As payroll expansion continues to motivate eager jobseekers, IDES and its local area workforce partners remain focused on providing the necessary services and tools to get workers matched with employers.”
The metro areas with the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were: the Springfield MSA (+1.9%, +2,000), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.7%, +2,100) and the Carbondale-Marion MSA (+1.3%, +800).
The largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were in these MSAs: Danville (-1.8%, -500) and Peoria (-1.1%, -1,900). Total nonfarm jobs in the Quad Cities fell by 1,800 jobs to 182,500.
Industries that saw job growth in most of the metro areas included: Government (12 MSAs); Private Education and Health Services (11); Other Services (nine areas); and Mining and Construction (eight areas).
In the Quad Cities, these sectors showed payroll gains over the year: Government (+600), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+300), Private Education-Health Services (+300), Other Services (+200), and Mining-Construction (+100). These Quad Cities industry sectors recorded over-the-year declines: Professional-Business Services (-2,500), Manufacturing (-400), Leisure-Hospitality (-200), Financial Activities (-100) and Information (-100).
Across and around the Quad Cities, these counties and communities saw these changes in their unemployment rates:
- Henry County – 5.7% in October, up from 5.2% a year ago.
- Mercer County – 5.5%, up from 4.3% a year ago.
- Rock Island County – 6.7%, up from 5.8% a year ago.
- In Moline, unemployment was 7% in October, up from 5.8% a year ago.
- In Rock Island, unemployment was 6.5%, up from 5.7% a year ago.
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases over the year in October were: Chicago Metro (+1.2 points to 5.5%); Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (+0.7 point to 5.4%); Danville (+0.4 point to 6.2%), and Bloomington (+0.4 point to 4.3%). There was no unemployment rate change in the Carbondale-Marion and Elgin areas.
The State of Illinois’ unemployment rate was 5.2% in October, up from 4.5% a year ago. The state’s nonfarm job payrolls over the year increased by 39,900 jobs to 6.205 million at the end of October.
The IDES said 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.
