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Economy & jobs Statistics · Area preliminary

Unemployment rate, latest month in Cook County

Aug 2024 – Aug 2026 · 24 data points 2 of 102 · Regions of Illinois Updated Oct 21, 2026
Economy & jobs · Cook County Illinois

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Aug 2024 – Aug 2026

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Overview 6 figures People 18 figures Economy 20 figures Housing 8 figures Education 10 figures Tourism 3 figures Climate 3 figures
Latest value · Aug 2026 5.9% +0.5 pp since Jul 2026
Regions of Illinois · 2026 2 of 102 Place 1 is the highest value.
vs Illinois +1.7 pp Illinois: 4.2% · Sep 2026
Compared with Unemployment rate, latest month · percent
Cook County
5.9%
Illinois
4.2% · Sep 2026

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics

The series at a glance Cook County · Aug 2024 – Aug 2026
Latest value 5.9% · Aug 2026
First value 6.0% · Aug 2024
Highest 6.0% · Aug 2024
Lowest 4.3% · Sep 2025
Data points 24

By year

All years · Aug 2024 – Aug 2026

YearCook CountyChange Illinois
Aug 2026preliminary 5.9% +0.5 pp 4.9%
Jul 2026 5.4% −0.4 pp 4.6%
Jun 2026 5.8% +0.5 pp 5.1%
May 2026 5.3% ±0.0 pp 4.7%
Apr 2026 5.3% +0.2 pp 4.7%
Mar 2026 5.1% −0.4 pp 5.2%
Feb 2026 5.5% +0.2 pp 5.5%
Jan 2026 5.3% +0.7 pp 5.4%
Dec 2025 4.6% −0.3 pp 4.8%
Nov 2025 4.9% +0.6 pp 4.8%
Sep 2025 4.3% −0.4 pp 4.3%
Aug 2025 4.7% −0.3 pp 4.6%
Jul 2025 5.0% ±0.0 pp 4.7%
Jun 2025 5.0% +0.4 pp 4.6%
May 2025 4.6% −0.1 pp 4.2%
Apr 2025 4.7% −0.3 pp 4.2%
Mar 2025 5.0% −0.3 pp 4.7%
Feb 2025 5.3% +0.2 pp 5.0%
Jan 2025 5.1% +0.6 pp 5.0%
Dec 2024 4.5% −0.6 pp 4.3%
Nov 2024 5.1% −0.3 pp 4.5%
Oct 2024 5.4% ±0.0 pp 4.7%
Sep 2024 5.4% −0.6 pp 4.8%
Aug 2024 6.0% 5.4%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Aug 2024 – Aug 2026

Ranking · Regions of Illinois

2026 · Place 1 is the highest value.

Year: 2026 2025 2024
Highest first Lowest first A–Z
#TerritoryUnemployment rate, latest month
1 Edwards County 7.0%
2 Cook County 5.9%
3 Alexander County 5.6%
4 Pope County 5.3%
5 Pulaski County 5.2%
6 Macon County 5.1%
7 Will County 5.1%
8 Grundy County 4.9%
9 DuPage County 4.7%
10 McHenry County 4.7%
11 Vermilion County 4.7%
12 Jefferson County 4.6%
13 Winnebago County 4.6%
14 Johnson County 4.5%
15 Peoria County 4.5%
16 Franklin County 4.4%
17 Knox County 4.4%
18 LaSalle County 4.4%
19 Perry County 4.4%
20 Jackson County 4.3%
21 Kankakee County 4.3%
22 Wayne County 4.3%
23 Boone County 4.2%
24 Hardin County 4.2%
25 Marion County 4.2%
…

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2026

What it means

The most recent monthly unemployment rate.

How it is calculated

Unemployed people divided by the labour force for the latest month published, not seasonally adjusted.