SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in five metropolitan areas, decreased in six, and was unchanged or nearly unchanged in three for the year ending June 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 increased in all fourteen metropolitan areas.
“The Illinois labor market continues to see sufficient payroll jobs expansion across various industries around the state, positioning jobseekers and employers with further opportunities for career growth,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “Illinois is proud of its world-class labor force and remains committed to investing in the growth of its strength and diversity.”
The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.5%, +1,700), the Carbondale-Marion MSA (+1.4%, +800), and the Bloomington MSA (+0.9%, +900). The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Decatur MSA (-1.4%, -700), the Springfield MSA (-1.4%, -1,500), and the Rockford MSA (-1.3%, -1,900). The Danville MSA and the Illinois section of St. Louis MSA each had change in total nonfarm jobs, while the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division saw almost no change in total nonfarm jobs.
Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included Government (nine areas) and Private Education and Health Services (eight areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago Metro Division (+1.7 points to 6.4%), the Danville MSA (+1.6 points to 7.5%), followed by the Bloomington MSA (+1.1 points to 5.3%) and the Carbondale Marion MSA (+1.1 points to 5.8%).
Southern Illinois Highlights
Carbondale – Marion Area
The June 2024 unemployment rate was 5.8 percent. This was a +1.1 percentage points increase from the June 2023 rate of 4.7 percent. Employers in the region added +800 jobs year-over-year, including an increase in Government (+200) payrolls.
Surrounding Counties
Total nonfarm payrolls decreased by -225 jobs in June 2024 compared to a year ago.
Employment rose among Natural Resources-Mining (+75), Government (+25), Leisure-Hospitality (+25) and Information (+25) sector employers.
Employer payrolls were unchanged in the Professional-Business Services and Other Services sectors. Payrolls declined among employers in Trade-Transportation-Utilities (-150), Private Education-Health Services (-100), Construction (-50), Financial Activities (-25) and Manufacturing (-25).
Harrisburg Area
Total nonfarm employment increased by +325 jobs in June 2024 compared to June 2023.
Employment gains were posted by employers in Private Education-Health Services (+200), Government (+125), Natural Resources-Mining (+75), Financial Activities (+75) and Information (+25).
No change was recorded in payrolls in the Professional-Business Services, Leisure-Hospitality or Manufacturing sectors.
Employment declined among employers in Construction (-75), Other Services (-50) and Trade-Transportation-Utilities (-25).
Olney – Mt. Carmel Area
Total nonfarm payrolls contracted by -75 jobs in June 2024 compared to June 2023.
Payrolls increased among employers in the Private Education-Health Services (+75), Other Services (+25), Natural Resources-Mining (+25) and Government (+25) sectors.
Payroll employment was unchanged for employers in Leisure-Hospitality, Information and Trade-Transportation-Utilities.
In the region, employers in the Manufacturing (-150), Construction (-50), Profession-Business Services (-25) and Financial Activities (-25) sectors had a lower number of employees in June 2024 than in June 2023.
Note: Monthly 2023 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2024, 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.
Disclaimer: The data contained in the metro area employment numbers press releases are not seasonally adjusted, and therefore are subject to seasonal fluctuations due to factors such as changes in weather, harvests, major holidays and school schedules. Current monthly metro data should be compared to the same month from prior years (January 2024 data compared to January 2023 data) as data for these months have similar seasonal patterns. Comparisons should not be made to data for the immediate previous month or other previous non-matching months, as any changes in the data within these time periods may be the result of seasonal fluctuations and not economic factors.
