09/24/13 Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 0.3 percent in August to 8.1 percent, the largest one month decrease in over two years (January 2011). The Hoosier State also added 3,000 manufacturing jobs last month, halting a recent, short lived decline. Indiana’s trend of manufacturing prominence continues, as the state maintains its position of having a higher percentage of manufacturing jobs as a portion of the private sector than any other state. The private educational and health services sector grew by 3,000 jobs in August as well.
Despite a sizable decrease in the rate of unemployment and increase in manufacturing, Indiana’s private sector as a whole decreased in August by 2,900 jobs, as losses in the trade, transportation and utilities and construction sectors offset gains.
Marshall County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.3 in July to 7.7 in August ranking us 36th of the 92 counties. Looking at counties surrounding Marshall you’ll find Saint Joseph County ranked 11th with a rate of 9.0 down from 9.8 and Starke County ranked at 14th with a rate of 8.8 down from 9.8. Fulton County ranked 33rd with a rate of 7.9 down from 8.5 with Elkhart County ranking in at 35th with a rate of 7.7 down from 8.5. Kosciusko County comes in at 82nd with a rate of 6.1 down from 6.9. Topping the list of counties again this month is Sullivan County with a rate of 10.7 down from 11.0 in July. Dubois is ranked 92nd with a rate of 5.1.
“The significant decreases in Indiana’s unemployment rate in August is definitely encouraging, but the fact is too many Hoosier’s are still unemployed,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “This underscores the need to bring unemployed individuals into WorkOne following their fourth week of receiving benefits. It is vital we get folks on the path to reemployment as soon as possible.”
Sanders also noted initial claims for unemployment insurance this year are still at their lowest levels since 2000.
Sectors showing gains in August include: Manufacturing (3,000), Private Educational and Health Services (3,000), and Financial Activities (900). The Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-4,900), Construction (-1,900), Professional and Business Services (-1,800), and leisure and Hospitality (-300) sectors showed declines. Total non-farm employment increased in August (6,500).
