Unemployment Declined Locally in December

Effingham County's unemployment rate for December was an even three percent. That's down from 3.4% in December 2023.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 300. Employment gains were posted at worksites in the Leisure/Hospitality, Trade/Transportation/Utilities, Professional/Business Services, Government, Construction, and Other Services sectors. Payrolls were unchanged in the Natural Resources/Mining sector. Payroll job losses occurred among employers in the Manufacturing, Private Education/Health Services, Information, and Financial Activities sectors.

While the county's unemployment rate improved, the statewide jobless rate rose slightly in December, from 4.2% to 4.3%. The number of those unemployed in December statewide rose by almost 46,000.

As far as area counties, here are the jobless figures for December:

Coles--3.5%, improved from 4% one year earlier

Cumberland--3%, improved from 3.5%

Shelby--4%, improved from 4.5%

Clay--4.6%, improved from 5.5% one year earlier

Fayette--4.4%, improved from 5% 

Jasper--3.5%, improved from 4.4% one year earlier.