Jobs Up in All Metros, Unemployment Rates Down in Most Areas in May
SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased in eleven Illinois metropolitan areas, increased in one and was unchanged in another in May according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in all metro areas.
"The Pritzker administration is encouraged by Illinois' continued positive economic trajectory," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "We remain committed to providing the resources needed to support and strengthen the state's workforce."
The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Chicago Metropolitan Division (+5.1%, +182,600), the Rockford MSA (+4.8%, +6,700), and the Bloomington MSA (+4.6%, +4,100). Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Leisure & Hospitality (fourteen areas); Manufacturing and Other Services (thirteen areas each); Government (twelve areas); Professional & Business Services (eleven areas); Education & Health Services (ten areas); Mining and Construction and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (nine areas each); and Wholesale Trade (eight areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago Metro Division (-2.6 points to 4.2%), the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.5 points to 3.8%), the Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metro (-0.4 point to 4.3%) and the Springfield MSA (-0.4 point to 4.7%). The unemployment rate in the Kankakee MSA increased +0.2 point to 6.2%. The unemployment rate was unchanged in the Danville MSA and the Decatur MSA.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | May 2022* | May 2021** | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 4.1% | 4.3% | -0.2 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 5.0% | 5.2% | -0.2 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.3% | 4.5% | -0.2 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 4.2% | 6.8% | -2.6 |
| Danville | 6.1% | 6.1% | 0.0 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.8% | 5.3% | -1.5 |
| Decatur | 7.1% | 7.1% | 0.0 |
| Elgin | 5.1% | 5.4% | -0.3 |
| Kankakee | 6.2% | 6.0% | 0.2 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.3% | 4.7% | -0.4 |
| Peoria | 5.5% | 5.6% | -0.1 |
| Rockford | 8.3% | 8.4% | -0.1 |
| Springfield | 4.7% | 5.1% | -0.4 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.6% | 4.8% | -0.2 |
| Illinois Statewide | 4.5% | 6.1% | -1.6 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised |
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Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - May 2022
| Metropolitan Area | May | May | Over-the-Year |
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| 2022* | 2021** | Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 92,900 | 88,800 | 4,100 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,600 | 55,000 | 1,600 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 116,600 | 113,100 | 3,500 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,752,600 | 3,570,000 | 182,600 |
| Danville MSA | 26,100 | 25,800 | 300 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 185,700 | 178,300 | 7,400 |
| Decatur MSA | 48,900 | 47,700 | 1,200 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 255,200 | 244,200 | 11,000 |
| Kankakee MSA | 42,900 | 42,300 | 600 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 420,000 | 409,400 | 10,600 |
| Peoria MSA | 166,700 | 163,500 | 3,200 |
| Rockford MSA | 145,300 | 138,600 | 6,700 |
| Springfield MSA | 108,400 | 104,400 | 4,000 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 238,700 | 236,900 | 1,800 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,042,800 | 5,794,000 | 248,800 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Labor Market Area | May 2022 | May 2021 | Over the Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 5.0 % | 5.2 % | -0.2 | |
| Jackson County | 5.0 % | 5.2 % | -0.2 | |
| Williamson County | 5.0 % | 5.2 % | -0.2 | |
| Surrounding Counties |
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| Alexander County | 8.1 % | 7.2 % | 0.9 | |
| Franklin County | 6.3 % | 6.2 % | 0.1 | |
| Johnson County | 6.0 % | 5.3 % | 0.7 | |
| Massac County | 5.6 % | 5.2 % | 0.4 | |
| Perry County | 5.6 % | 5.1 % | 0.5 | |
| Pulaski County | 8.5 % | 8.6 % | -0.1 | |
| Randolph County | 3.9 % | 3.8 % | 0.1 | |
| Union County | 5.4 % | 4.8 % | 0.6 | |
| Harrisburg Area |
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| Gallatin County | 5.9 % | 5.8 % | 0.1 | |
| Hamilton County | 3.8 % | 4.1 % | -0.3 | |
| Hardin County | 6.4 % | 6.3 % | 0.1 | |
| Pope County | 4.8 % | 4.7 % | 0.1 | |
| Saline County | 6.2 % | 6.1 % | 0.1 | |
| White County | 4.6 % | 4.6 % | 0.0 | |
| Olney - Mt. Carmel Area |
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| Edwards County | 4.9 % | 4.8 % | 0.1 | |
| Lawrence County | 5.9 % | 5.7 % | 0.2 | |
| Richland County | 4.2 % | 4.0 % | 0.2 | |
| Wabash County | 4.1 % | 4.2 % | -0.1 | |
| Wayne County | 4.2 % | 4.3 % | -0.1 | |
| Other Areas |
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| LWIA 23 | 4.4 % | 4.3 % | 0.1 | |
| LWIA 24 | 4.7 % | 4.9 % | -0.2 | |
| LWIA 25 | 5.4 % | 5.5 % | -0.1 | |
| LWIA 26 | 5.3 % | 5.1 % | 0.2 | |
| Southern EDR | 5.3 % | 5.4 % | -0.1 |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Carbondale - Marion Area
The May 2022 unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. This was a decrease of -0.2 percentage points from the May 2021 rate of 5.2 percent. Total nonfarm employment in May 2022 increased by +1,600 compared to last May.
Employment increased in Government (+200).
Surrounding Counties
Total nonfarm employment increased by +650 compared to May 2021.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+275), Leisure and Hospitality (+250), Educational and Health Services (+200), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+50), Other Services (+50), Manufacturing (+50), Information (+25), and Construction (+25). No change was reported in Financial Activities.
May payrolls declined in Professional and Business Services (-150), and Natural Resources and Mining (-50).
Harrisburg Area
Total nonfarm employment increased by +300 compared to May 2021.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+175), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+100), Information (+75), Financial Activities (+50) and Natural Resources and Mining (+25). Leisure and Hospitality, Educational and Health Services, Other Services, Manufacturing, and Professional and Business Services payrolls were unchanged.
Employment declined in Construction (-75).
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area
Total nonfarm employment increased by +525 compared to May 2021.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+225), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+150), Leisure and Hospitality (+75), Educational and Health Services (+75), Other Services (+50), Natural Resources and Mining (+25), and Professional and Business Services (+25).
No changes were reported in Information, or Financial Activities.
Employment declined in Manufacturing (-125) and Construction (-25).
Note: Monthly 2021 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2022, 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.
