Bloomington-Normal's labor market ended 2024 with a net job loss compared to the prior year, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the area dropped 300 jobs.
The labor market — which includes McLean and DeWitt counties — had an unemployment rate of 3.7%, showing no change from the end of 2023.
Government had the most job losses [-600], followed by Manufacturing [-400] and Professional and Business Services [-200].
Payrolls were up in Private Education and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, Mining-Construction and Retail Trade, with each sector adding around 200 jobs.
Bloomington-Normal's total of nonfarm jobs ended the year at 100,200.
Half of the state’s 14 metro areas saw a net job loss in 2024 as Illinois’ unemployment rose slightly to 4.3%, up from 4.2% the year prior. Champaign-Urbana has the lowest unemployment in the state at 3.3%. Danville had the highest [5.4%].
