5 Illinois Cities With Some of the Highest and Lowest Unemployment in the State

In Illinois, each metro area had unemployment rates drop for the fifth month in a row. Jobless numbers in all 102 counties also fell, according to preliminary figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The data is not seasonally adjusted, which means the unemployment rate of the current month is compared to the same month of last year -- i.e. August 2014 to August 2013, which removes any seasonal or regular patterns that otherwise affect the unemployment rate. Additionally, people who have dropped out of the workforce are not reflected in these statistics.

On Sept. 18, IDES announced the statewide unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 6.7 percent in August. The national jobless number stands at 6.1 percent.

"This is encouraging news - more people working than one year ago and fewer people describing themselves as unemployed," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "We now will look to see how the falling unemployment rate trend unfolds as employers continue to add permanent jobs and we begin to experience seasonal hiring."

The unemployment rates were calculated based on metro areas, counties and cities.

Here are Illinois cities with the tenth through fifth highest unemployment rates in August 2014.

10. Alton -- 10.0 percent
9. Maywood-- 10 percent
8. Dolton-- 10.2 percent
7. North Chicago --10.3 percent
6. Decatur -- 10.7 percent

Here are Illinois cities with the tenth through fifth lowest unemployment rates in August 2014.

10. Oak Park -- 4.7 percent
9. Mount Prospect -- 4.7 percent
8. Downers Grove -- 4.6 percent
7. Wilmette -- 4.5 percent
6. Northbrook -- 4.5 percent

Check out Reboot Illinois to see the cities with the top five highest and lowest unemployment rates in the state and to see these numbers broken down by county and metro area, plus the jobless trends in these areas over the last two years.

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