County Jobless Rate at 4.7% in February

Effingham County's February unemployment rate checked in at 4.7%. That's up from 2.8% in February 2020, the last month before the pandemic made its presence known.

Total non-farm employment in the county decreased by 1,425 in February compared to last year.

Employment gains were posted in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (175), with no change reported in Government, Other Services, and Construction.

Payrolls declined in Educational and Health Services (500), Manufacturing (450), Leisure and Hospitality (275), Construction (150), Natural Resources and Mining (75), Government (50), Professional and Business Services (25), and Information (25).

As far as area counties and their February jobless rates:

Coles--5.5%, up from 2.9% one year earlier

Cumberland--5.2%, up from 3.1%

Shelby--5.0%, up from 3.4%

Clay--6.5%, up from 4.4%

Fayette--6.5%, up from 4%

Jasper--5.7%, up from 3.8%