![Rockford Unemployment Drops From 22.5% to 9.7%](http://townsquare.media/site/671/files/2020/03/gettyimages-1087424676-170667a1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Rockford Unemployment Drops From 22.5% to 9.7%
![97 ZOK logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WZOKFM.png?w=100)
Last April our area, and cities and towns across the country were suffering. COVID-19 came with businesses shutting down and people losing jobs. Last April the Rockford unemployment was a staggering 22.5%...today those numbers are significantly lower. WIFR
That is a 12.8% drop in unemployment since last April...the city of Rockford added 7600 jobs in the last twelve months. The breakdown of job types goes like this:
Leisure-Hospitality numbers went up to 3,900. Jobs in the retail trade were up by 1,400. The transportation, warehousing, utilities industry went up 1,200. The "others" category makes up 900 jobs in their random industries. Positions in educational and health services added 800 more jobs and finally construction jobs were up 600. SO happy to see Rockford and surrounding communities back working again.
In other surrounding counties, Ogle has a great bounce back as well. The Ogle County unemployment numbers are down to 6.2%.
Stephenson County is down to 5.9% after jumping to 13.4% back in April of 2020.
There are still PLENTY of local businesses that are hiring and are in desperate need of people to work for them. Every where you turn, there's a "now hiring" sign up on a business. Hopefully things are starting to turn the page, and we can get all of Rockford and surrounding areas working again.
Over 400,000 total claims were recorded across the country last week. That's the lowest during the pandemic. With a bust summer into fall and then the seasonal work going into winter 2021, you would have to imagine that these jobs will be filling up locally.
CHECK THEM OUT: States With the Best and Worst Commutes
More From 97 ZOK
![Big World Record-Sized Koi Removed from Midwestern Lake](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2024/07/attachment-FI-Koi.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![7 Best New Foods at the Wisconsin State Fair](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2024/07/attachment-FI-WI-Fair.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![All The Illinois Athletes Competing for Team USA in Paris Olympics](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2024/07/attachment-FI-IL-Olympians.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Discover The Top Workout Trend In Illinois: Yoga Vs. Pilates](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2018/03/RS14477_162383291.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Most Expensive Turkey Leg In The Midwest Is In Wisconsin](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2024/07/attachment-giant-turkey-leg.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Why There Are So Many Earwigs in Wisconsin This Year](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2024/07/attachment-FI-Earwigs.jpg?w=980&q=75)