Best Job Markets in Illinois
Cities ranked by lowest unemployment rate · 50 cities · Updated 2026-04-05
This ranking shows the best job markets in Illinois based on data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. All 50 cities are sorted by lowest unemployment rate from lowest to highest. Percy leads the ranking with a value of 0.2% and a population of 1,014.
The top three cities are Percy (0.2%), Hamel (0.4%), and Red Bud (0.4%). Data is updated nightly from official Census APIs. Click any city name to view its full demographic profile, or see the national best job markets ranking to compare across all 50 states. You can also explore all cities in Illinois.
| Rank | City | Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Percy | 0.2% | 1,014 |
| #2 | Hamel | 0.4% | 1,004 |
| #3 | Red Bud | 0.4% | 3,789 |
| #4 | Atwood | 0.5% | 976 |
| #5 | Elburn | 0.5% | 6,054 |
| #6 | Green Valley | 0.5% | 700 |
| #7 | Arenzville | 0.6% | 310 |
| #8 | Beecher | 0.6% | 4,837 |
| #9 | Carthage | 0.6% | 2,508 |
| #10 | Catlin | 0.6% | 2,161 |
| #11 | Congerville | 0.6% | 723 |
| #12 | Cutler | 0.6% | 352 |
| #13 | Fairmont City | 0.6% | 2,354 |
| #14 | Forrest | 0.6% | 1,008 |
| #15 | The Galena Territory | 0.6% | 1,644 |
| #16 | Vienna | 0.6% | 2,115 |
| #17 | Woodhull | 0.6% | 673 |
| #18 | Diamond | 0.7% | 2,900 |
| #19 | St. Joseph | 0.7% | 3,833 |
| #20 | Tremont | 0.7% | 2,300 |
| #21 | Bartelso | 0.8% | 768 |
| #22 | East Carondelet | 0.8% | 219 |
| #23 | Kane | 0.8% | 246 |
| #24 | Lebanon | 0.8% | 4,431 |
| #25 | St. David | 0.8% | 548 |
| #26 | Tuscola | 0.8% | 4,675 |
| #27 | Addieville | 0.9% | 315 |
| #28 | Chebanse | 0.9% | 1,033 |
| #29 | Creve Coeur | 0.9% | 4,572 |
| #30 | Downs | 0.9% | 1,451 |
| #31 | Eldred | 0.9% | 184 |
| #32 | Galena | 0.9% | 2,899 |
| #33 | Goodfield | 0.9% | 986 |
| #34 | Liberty | 0.9% | 423 |
| #35 | Nora | 0.9% | 178 |
| #36 | Palmer | 0.9% | 233 |
| #37 | Riverwoods | 0.9% | 3,988 |
| #38 | Altamont | 1.0% | 2,500 |
| #39 | Cissna Park | 1.0% | 960 |
| #40 | Columbia | 1.0% | 11,063 |
| #41 | Coyne Center | 1.0% | 906 |
| #42 | Danforth | 1.0% | 619 |
| #43 | Elizabeth | 1.0% | 764 |
| #44 | Hindsboro | 1.0% | 364 |
| #45 | McLeansboro | 1.0% | 2,750 |
| #46 | Petersburg | 1.0% | 2,590 |
| #47 | Towanda | 1.0% | 356 |
| #48 | Arbury Hills | 1.1% | 1,408 |
| #49 | Hardin | 1.1% | 792 |
| #50 | McClure | 1.1% | 245 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What city has the best job markets in Illinois?
Percy ranks #1 for best job markets in Illinois with a value of 0.2% and a population of 1,014.
How many cities are ranked for best job markets in Illinois?
There are 50 cities ranked for best job markets in Illinois. Rankings are based on data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
How does Illinois compare to other states for best job markets?
You can compare Illinois's city rankings to other states or view the national ranking at our national best job markets page, which lists the top 100 cities across all 50 states.