Department of Numbers

Champaign-Urbana, Illinois Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Champaign rose 0.2 percentage points in September 2023 to 4.6%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points higher than the Illinois rate. The unemployment rate in Champaign peaked in April 2020 at 11.7% and is now 7.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.5% in September 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 1.1 percentage points. You can also compare Champaign unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate September 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.8% 0.0 +0.3
Illinois 4.4% +0.3 -0.2
Champaign 4.6% +0.2 +1.1
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with September 2023 data as October metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Champaign, Illinois, National

Champaign, Illinois monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Champaign, Illinois Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Champaign peaked in April 2020 at 13,171. There are now 7,362 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 4,297 in January 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,512. Champaign employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Champaign, Illinois) is also available.

Unemployed Persons September 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Champaign 5,809 +283 +1,403

Number of Unemployed Persons

Champaign, Illinois Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Illinois
Unemployment Rate
Champaign
Unemployment Rate
Champaign
Unemployed
October
2023
3.9% 4.6%
September
2023
3.8% 4.4% 4.6% 5,809
August
2023
3.8% 4.1% 4.4% 5,526
July
2023
3.5% 4.0% 4.1% 5,161
June
2023
3.6% 4.0% 3.9% 4,933
May
2023
3.7% 4.1% 3.8% 4,770
April
2023
3.4% 4.2% 3.7% 4,623
March
2023
3.5% 4.4% 3.6% 4,439
February
2023
3.6% 4.5% 3.5% 4,409
January
2023
3.4% 4.5% 3.5% 4,297
December
2022
3.5% 4.6% 3.5% 4,363
November
2022
3.6% 4.6% 3.5% 4,353

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.