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 Unemployment Rates in February Up in All Area Counties from One Year Earlier 

Published on April 23, 2026 3:54 pm
Last Updated on April 23, 2026 3:54 pm

Local News
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The Effingham County jobless rate for February was 4.9%, up from 3.8% in February 2025.

Total non-farm payroll employment increased by 150 jobs in February, compared to a year ago.

Employment gains were posted in Construction, Trade-Transportation-Utilities, Manufacturing and Professional-Business Services. Totals were unchanged among employers in Government and Leisure-Hospitality. Payroll losses occurred in Private Education-Health Services, Financial Activities, Information, Other Services, and Natural Resources-Mining sectors.

Elsewhere in the area, jobless rates in February:

Clay County–5.8%, up from 4.8%

Fayette County–6.6%, up from 5.3%

Jasper County–4.9%, up from 3.7%

Coles County–4.2%, up from 3.5%

Cumberland County–5.1%, up from 3.5%

Shelby County–5.1%, up from 4%