Effingham County Jobless Rate at 4% for November

After a big spike in unemployment due to COVID earlier this year, the Effingham County jobless rate in November was back down to an even 4%.

That compares to a 2.7% jobless rate in November 2019.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports total nonfarm employment in November decreased by 1,800 compared to last year.

Employment gains were reported in Construction, up 25, with no change reported in Natural Resources and Mining, and Information.

Payrolls declined in Manufacturing, down 625, Leisure and Hospitality, down 350, Educational and Health Services, down 275, Other Services, down 175, Professional and Business Services, down 150, Government, down 75, Trade, Transportation and Utilities, down 100, and Financial Activities, down 75.

Area counties and their November jobless rates: 

Coles--5%, up from 3.4% in November 2019

Cumberland--4%, up from 2.7% a year earlier

Shelby--3.9%, up from 3.5% in November 2019

Clay--5%, up from 3.8% a year earlier

Fayette--4.7%, up from 3.8% in November 2019

Jasper--3.9%, up from 3.4% one year earlier.

The statewide jobless rate in November was 6.5%, higher than all of the area counties, and up from 3.4% in November 2019.