Peoria Area Unemployment Rate at Highest Level in 22 Years

The following unemployment information is provided by the Illinois Department of Employment Services.

                                                          Feb-09    Feb-08

Bloomington-Normal McLean County            6.4 %     5.1 %

Peoria MSA
Marshall County                                       8.8 %     6.1 %
Peoria County                                          9.5 %     6.0 %
Stark County                                          10.2 %     7.3 %
Tazewell County                                       9.2 %     5.7 %
Woodford County                                     7.1 %      4.8 %

Ottawa-Streator Area                              12.0 %     8.0 %
Bureau County                                        10.4 %     6.7 %
LaSalle County                                        12.4 %     8.5 %
Putnam County                                        14.1 %    8.4 %

Galesburg Area                                         8.6 %      6.7 %
Knox County                                            9.2 %      7.0 %
Warren County                                          7.0 %      5.9 %

Cities
Bloomington City                                        6.7 %  5.2 %
Galesburg City                                           9.4 %  7.0 %
Normal City                                               5.9 %  4.8 %
Pekin City                                                 10.9 %  6.4 %
Peoria City                                                 9.4 %  5.9 %

Counties
DeWitt County                                            8.4 %    6.4 %
Fulton County                                            10.5 %    7.2 %
Henderson County                                     11.0 %    7.8 %
Henry County                                             8.9 %     6.7 %
Livingston County                                     10.0 %     6.4 %
Logan County                                             9.0 %     6.4 %
Mason County                                           12.1 %     8.7 %

North Central Illinois Highlights

Peoria MSA:  The local labor market has deteriorated with the unemployment rate increasing from 5.8 percent in February 2008 to 9.1 percent in February 2009. The area experienced its highest February unemployment rate since 1987 when it was 9.6 percent. Non-farm payroll jobs declined by -700, with the largest loss in Manufacturing (-1,600). Other sectors reporting large changes were Government (-400), Construction (+500), Business-Professional Services (+500) and Leisure-Hospitality (+400).

Bloomington-Normal MSA: The unemployment rate increased from 5.1 percent in February 2008 to 6.4 percent in February 2009. This was the highest February rate since 1986 when it was 7.3 percent. However, at 6.4 percent, the Bloomington-Normal area has the lowest rate of all MSAs in the state. The non-farm payroll jobs total was up by +400 compared to last year. Job gains were reported in Leisure-Hospitality (+300) and Government (+200). Financial Activities (-300) suffered a loss.

Ottawa-Streator Area: The rate rose from 8.0 percent in February 2008 to 12.0 percent in February 2009. Over-the-year, there was a decline of 1,025 non-farm payroll jobs. The largest job losses occurred in Manufacturing (-525), and Government (-425).

Galesburg Area:   The unemployment rate increased from 6.7 percent in February 2008 to 8.6 percent in February 2009. Over-the-year, there was an increase of +150 non-farm payroll jobs. Retail Trade (+125) and Government (+100) experienced the largest gains. Construction employment was down by -150.