Most Central IL metro areas seeing more jobs: Feb. 2023 vs. 2024
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Last week, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security released February data that indicates a rise in nonfarm jobs in several metropolitan areas since the previous year.
They found that nonfarm jobs went up in 11 metropolitan areas and decreased in three since Feb. 2023. The data also says the unemployment rate increased in all 14 metropolitan areas.
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The Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had one of the biggest increases in total nonfarm jobs over the year. The area saw a 3.2% increase, meaning 3,900 more nonfarm jobs.
On the flip side, the Springfield and Decatur MSAs lost nonfarm jobs over 2023. The Springfield MSA lost 3,300 (-3%) while the Decatur MSA lost 1,600 (-3.3%). They join the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA, which also lost 1,600 jobs.
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – February 2024
Metropolitan Area | February 2023* | February 2022** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA | 98,800 | 97,400 | 1,400 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 58,500 | 57,800 | 700 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 124,600 | 120,700 | 3,900 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,752,600 | 3,751,200 | 1,400 |
Danville MSA | 26,700 | 26,500 | 200 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 179,000 | 180,600 | -1,600 |
Decatur MSA | 46,800 | 48,400 | -1,600 |
Elgin Metro Division | 261,800 | 256,500 | 5,300 |
Kankakee MSA | 42,600 | 42,200 | 400 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 411,900 | 409,400 | 2,500 |
Peoria MSA | 168,300 | 167,100 | 1,200 |
Rockford MSA | 144,100 | 143,400 | 700 |
Springfield MSA | 105,900 | 109,200 | -3,300 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 238,500 | 237,700 | 800 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,035,800 | 6,012,900 | 22,900 |
*Preliminary / **Revised |
On top the dropping number of nonfarm jobs, the Decatur MSA gained the largest unemployment rate increase, rising from 5.9% to 6.4%.
Champaign-Urbana and Danville MSAs also experienced rising unemployment rates. The C-U MSA went from 4.1% last Feb. to 4.4% this Feb. The Danville MSA experienced a rather small increase, only rising .1% since last year.
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Below is a list of unemployment rates that includes some specific cities, local counties, and other areas.
Unemployment Rates (%) for Local Counties and Areas, Not Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Market Area | Feb. 2024 | Feb. 2023 | Over-the-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Cities | |||
Champaign | 4.3% | 3.8% | 0.5 |
Urbana | 4.6% | 4.0% | 0.6 |
Danville | 6.6% | 6.1% | 0.5 |
Counties | |||
Champaign County | 4.4% | 4.1% | 0.3 |
Clark County | 6.3% | 4.8% | 1.5 |
Coles County | 4.5% | 4.4% | 0.1 |
Cook County | 5.2% | 4.4% | 0.8 |
De Witt County | 4.8% | 4.6% | 0.2 |
Douglas County | 3.8% | 4.0% | -0.2 |
Edgar County | 4.2% | 3.9% | 0.3 |
Ford County | 4.5% | 4.8% | -0.3 |
Iroquois County | 5.8% | 5.8% | 0.0 |
McLean County | 4.3% | 3.9% | 0.4 |
Macon County | 6.4% | 5.9% | 0.5 |
Moultrie County | 4.0% | 3.5% | 0.5 |
Piatt County | 4.3% | 4.0% | 0.3 |
Sangamon County | 4.8% | 4.5% | 0.3 |
Shelby County | 5.3% | 4.6% | 0.7 |
Vermilion County | 6.1% | 6.0% | 0.1 |
Other Areas | |||
Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) 17 | 4.5% | 4.2% | 0.3 |
LWIA 18 | 6.1% | 6.0% | 0.1 |
East Central Economic Development Region | 4.8% | 4.6% | 0.2 |
Industries with the most growth included government, educational and health services, mining and construction, wholesale trade, and other services.
This was the case for the Champaign-Urbana MSA, also adding retail trade, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. However, since last year there was a decrease in jobs for professional/business services (-500), financial activities (-100), information (-200), and other services (-100).
The Danville MSA also experienced a decrease in professional/business services (-100) and manufacturing (-300), as well as wholesale trade (-100). Services in educational/health services, transportation, warehousing, and utilities, government, mining and construction, and retail trade all rose in numbers.
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“Today’s data continues to highlight the health and expansion of the Illinois labor market, with increases in jobs throughout a multitude of industries touching every corner of the state,” Deputy Governor Andy Manar said. “As growth continues to supply jobseekers and employers with new opportunities, IDES and its workforce partners are positioned to assist both groups to thrive in the state’s economy.”
More job data by DMA can be found on the IDES website.
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