Unemployment Rates Up in May for Area, State

May unemployment rates in area counties were higher than one year earlier.

The Effingham County jobless rate was 3.6%, which was up from 2.8% in May 2023.

Total nonfarm employment in the county increased by 200 people compared to last year. Employment gains were posted at worksites in Government; Leisure/Hospitality; Professional/Business Services; Trade-Transportation-Utilities; and Financial Activities.

Payrolls were unchanged in Natural Resources/Mining and Information.

Job losses occurred in Private Education/Health Services; Manufacturing; Construction; and Other Services sectors.

Area counties are their numbers:

Coles County--4.6%, up from 4.2%

Cumberland County--3.5%, up from 3.1%

Shelby County--4.5%, up from 3.9%

Clay County--5.2%, up from 4.8%

Fayette County--4.7%, up from 4.4%

Jasper County--4.2%, up from 3.4%

The statewide unemployment rate for May was 4.8%, up from 4.0% in May 2023.