Jobs Up, Unemployment Down in Majority of Metro Areas in August

Contact: Rebeca Cisco | 217-524-1219 | PDF Version

SPRINGFIELD - Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in eight metropolitan areas, decreased in five and was unchanged in one for the year ending August 2024, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in nine areas, increased in four, and was unchanged in one.

"Stable, consistent job growth across the state continues to position jobseekers and employers to leverage new and developing opportunities," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "IDES and its essential workforce partners are working throughout the state to offer critical employment services to enthusiastic jobseekers."

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+4.7%, +5,400), the Carbondale-Marion MSA (+1.6%, +900), the Bloomington MSA (+0.7%, +700), and the Illinois section of the St. Louis MSA (+0.7%, +1,600). The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.4%, -2,600), the Elgin Metro Division (-0.9%, -2,300), and the Peoria MSA (-0.6%, -1,100). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division were almost unchanged (0.0%, -1,200). The Decatur MSA had no change in total nonfarm jobs.

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Rockford MSA (-1.0 percentage point to 6.0%), and the Decatur MSA (-0.5 percentage point to 6.3%). The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago Metro Division (+0.7 point to 5.7%), the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (+0.5 point to 4.9%), and the Bloomington MSA (+0.2 point to 4.8%). There was no unemployment rate change in the Carbondale-Marion MSA.