What is the unemployment rate in the right now?

Refreshed monthly
Unemployment in the Kankakee, IL Metro Area was at 5.1% in April 2026. That's a 0.4 percentage point increase from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It helps indicate the overall condition of the Kankakee, IL area job market.
In April 2026,

5.1%

of the labor force was unemployed in Kankakee, IL area
April 2026 had a

+0.4

percentage point change from April 2025
Metro area-level unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not account for fluctuations due to seasonal employment patterns, such as tourism or agriculture. That means the data may show large changes month to month. It’s important to view this local data with a long-term lens.

The unemployment rate in Kankakee, IL area was lower in April 2026 (YTD) compared with January 2019.

Unemployment rate by month, not seasonally adjusted, 2019-2026 (YTD)

Unemployment rates differ between urban areas due to various factors. The types of industries present in an area may affect unemployment rates. Seasonal work in industries like tourism can cause unemployment to go up and down. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.

Get weekly insights

Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.

How does unemployment in the Kankakee, IL area compare to other metros?

Unemployment rates can vary between different metropolitan areas, reflecting diverse economic conditions and industry presence. The current unemployment rate in the Kankakee, IL area provides a snapshot of the local job market and economic health. Historically, the Kankakee, IL area has experienced fluctuations in its unemployment rate, influenced by factors such as changes in local industries and broader economic trends. When comparing the Kankakee, IL area to other metropolitan areas, it is necessary to consider these unique factors. For instance, metropolitan areas with a strong presence of industries such as technology or finance may exhibit different unemployment rates compared to areas with a focus on manufacturing or agriculture. By examining these comparisons, we can understand the economic landscape and the factors driving employment trends in the Kankakee, IL area.
Among 172 metro areas with less than 100,000 people in the labor force, the Kankakee, IL area had the 28th highest unemployment rate in April 2026.
Other areas with similar unemployment rates to the Kankakee, IL area's 5.1% unemployment rate were the Las Vegas, NV area (5.1%) and the Medford, OR area (5.2%).

In April 2026, the Kankakee, IL area had the 28th highest unemployment rate among metro areas with less than 100,000 people in the labor force.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted (Circle size corresponds to the size of the labor force)

Unemployment rate, by metro area (April 2026)

Unemployment rate, by metro area (April 2026)
1.

El Centro, CA area

16.5%
2.

Yuma, AZ area

13.9%
3.

Visalia, CA area

10.2%
4.

Merced, CA area

9.6%
5.

Hanford, CA area

8.9%
6.

Bakersfield, CA area

8.7%
7.

Guayama, PR area

8.6%
8.

Eagle Pass, TX area

8.5%
9.

Fresno, CA area

8.1%
10.

Wildwood, FL area

7.9%

Keep exploring

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.