CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Champaign-Urbana saw its unemployment rate fall to 3.3 percent in March 2025.

This is down from 4.4 percent in March 2024, which is a 1.1 percentage point improvement. In Champaign, the unemployment rate fell from 3.2 from 4.3 percent. In Urbana, the the unemployment rate fell from 3.2 from 4.5 percent. Total nonfarm employment in the Champaign-Urbana area increased by 2,300 jobs year-over-year, reaching 122,900 jobs in March 2025.

Some gains include:

  • Government: +1,800 jobs

  • Leisure & Hospitality: +600 jobs

  • Private Education & Health Services: +200

  • Retail Trade: +200

  • Financial Activities: +100

Notable decreases include:

  • Manufacturing: -200 jobs

  • Professional & Business Services: -200

  • Information: -100

  • Other Services: -100

Mining, Construction, Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities, and Wholesale Trade employment remain unchanged.

Additionally, the Danville area employment went from 5.7 to 5.0 percent with a 700-job decrease in nonfarm employment.