Effingham County October Jobless Rate an Even 3%

The Effingham County unemployment rate for October was at an even 3%.

The rate is an improvement from the 3.7% rate in October 2018.

Non-farm employment increased by 700 jobs over the year. Employment gains were posted in Government, up 200 jobs; Manufacturing, up 200 jobs; and Educational and Health Services, up 100 jobs. Slight increases were seen in Information, Wholesale Trade, Leisure and Hospitality, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, Other Services, Retail Trade, and Professional and Business Services. 

Slight decreases were reported in Construction, Financial Activities, and Natural Resources and Mining.

As far as area counties and their rates: Coles--3.7%, down from 4.8% in October 2018; Cumberland--2.9% in October, down from 3.7%; Shelby--3.4%, down from 4.1% in October; Clay--4%, from 5%; Fayette--3.8%, down from 4.8%; Jasper--3.4%, down from 4.8% in October 2018.

The Illinois jobless rate in October was 3.6%, while the national rate for October was 3.3%