Overall unemployment rate moved up to 9.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Rockford, IL market rose by 2,169 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 110 bps to 9.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Rockford, IL unemployment rate is 341 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 700 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in June versus prior month by -0.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Rockford, IL Unemployment June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 29,000; +500
  • Manufacturing: 25,100; no change
  • Education & Healthcare: 23,800; -100
  • Government: 14,600; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 12,800; +600
  • Business Services: 11,100; -100
  • Other Jobs: 8,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 5,800; +300
  • Financial Services: 4,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,200; -100
Rockford, IL Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.