Jobless Rates Up for December 2023

Effingham County's unemployment rate for December was 3.3%, up from 2.7% in December 2022.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 1,025 in December, compared to a year ago.

Employment gains were posted in Government; Leisure and Hospitality; Government; Professional and Business Services; Construction; Other Services; Educational and Health Services; Financial Activities; Professional and Business Services; and Natural Resources and Mining. 

Over the year, nonfarm payrolls declined in the region's Information industry.

As far as area counties: Coles--4.1%, up from 3.5%; Cumberland--3.5%, up from 2.9%; Shelby--4.6%, up from 3.7%; Clay--5.8%, up from 4.2%; Fayette--4.9%, up from 4.1%; and Jasper--4.2%, up from 3.1%. 

The state jobless rate for December was 4.2%, up from 4.0% in December 2022.