September unemployment numbers from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows Wayne County’s rate came in at an even four percent. Edwards County’s rate was 6.3 percent, Hamilton County 3.9 percent, and Richland County 3.3 percent.
Marion County reported a September rate of 4.2 percent, the third month in a row the rate has not changed. Clay County’s rate for September was 3.6 percent, while Jefferson County reported 4.6 percent. Clinton County reported the lowest unemployment rate in the area at 2.7 percent.
The IDES says there were 375 fewer jobs in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market compared to a year ago. The biggest unemployment gains were in the private education-health services, which were up 375 jobs, and government jobs, which were up 175 jobs.