Published on September 25, 2026 4:15 pm
Last Updated on September 25, 2026 4:15 pm
Jobless rates for August were lower in every area county compared to one year ago.
Effingham County had a jobless rate of 2.9%, down from 3.7% in August of 2025.
Total nonfarm employment in the county decreased by 125 jobs from a year earlier.
Employment gains were posted in Construction, Government, Leisure/Hospitality, Professional/Business Services, and Trade/Transportation/Utilities.
Year-over-year, payroll totals were unchanged among employers in natural resources and mining.
Payroll job losses occurred in the Private Education/Health Services, Manufacturing, Financial Activities, Information, and Other Services sectors.
Jobless rates for August in area counties: Clay–3.6%, down from 5.1%…Fayette–3.9%, down from 4.9%…Jasper–2.8%, down from 3.8%…Coles–3.2%, down from 4.3%…Cumberland–2.7%, down from 3.5%…and Shelby–3.1%, down from 4%.
The Illinois jobless rate for August actually rose, from 4.6% in July to 4.9% in August.
