September Jobless Rate Down to 3.2%

The Effingham County jobless rate for September was down to 3.2%.

That rate compares to a 3.4% rate in September 2017.

The state jobless rate for September stood at 3.8%. That figure is down from a peak unemployment rate in this cycle of 12.2% in January 2010.

The national jobless rate in September stood at 3.6%, down from a peak unemployment rate this cycle of 10.6% in January 2010.

September saw lower jobless rates in 13 counties in South Central Illinois, four higher rates, and one rate unchanged from a year earlier.

Employers have increased demand for employees in Public Administration, Manufacturing, and Finance and Insurance.

Health Care and Social Assistance, Administrative Support, and Waste Management occupations showed a slight decrease over the year.

Stable employment conditions continued in Transportation and Warehousing, Educational Services, Construction, Accommodation and Food Services, and Real Estate occupations.

Area counties and their unemployment rates for September:

Coles--4.0%, down from 4.1% in September 2017

Cumberland--3.5%, slightly up from 3.4% in September 2017

Shelby--3.8%, slightly lower than 3.9% in September 2017

Clay--4.4%, down from 4.9% one year earlier

Fayette--4.3%, down from 4.6% in September 2017

Jasper--4.3%, slightly up from 4.2% in September 2017