Employment Data

RAEDC Star Logo - unemployment rateData relating to employment, labor force, and unemployment rate reflect the Rockford Region MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), this includes Boone and Winnebago Counties. Unemployment rate and related data is reported by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Unemployment Rate

Current MonthMonth Over MonthYear Over YearIllinoisNational
4.2%
April 2018		4.2%
April 2018		4.2%
April 2018		3.6%
April 2018		3.9%
April 2018
5.1%
March 2018		6.5%
April 2017

Source: Illinois Department of Employment Security. Not seasonally adjusted.

Labor Force and Employment

 Current MonthPrevious MonthPrevious Year
Labor Force165,740
April 2018		165,821
March 2018		165,357
April 2017
Employed158,853
April 2018		157,401
March 2018		154,538
April 2017
Unemployed6,887
April 2018		8,420
March 2018		10,819
April 2017

Source: Illinois Department of Employment Security. Not seasonally adjusted.

Largest Employers in the Rockford MSA

Below are the major public and private employers in Boone and Winnebago counties (updated May 2018).

CompanyIndustryNumber of Employees
Fiat Chrysler AutomobilesAutomotive5,152
MercyhealthHealthcare4,000
Rockford Public SchoolsEducation3,713
SwedishAmerican Health SystemHealthcare3,359
OSF HealthcareHealthcare2,800
UPSParcel Sorting Hub2,379
UTC Aerospace SystemsAerospace Manufacturing2,200
WoodwardAerospace Manufacturing1,900
PCI - Packaging Coordinators IncPharmaceutical Packaging1,800
Wal-Mart StoresRetail1,471
Winnebago CountyGovernment1,292
Harlem Consolidated SchoolsEducation1,100
City of RockfordGovernment1,088
Lowe'sDistribution Center, Retail900
Belvidere Community SchoolsEducation870
Mondelez InternationalChewing Gum850
ServicomTelemarketing850
MagnaAutomotive Parts Manufacturing816
General Mills/Green GiantCereal/Snack Bars675
Taylor CompanyIce Cream Machines671
SyncreonAutomotive Supplier600
AloricaTelemarketing563