Indiana’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate held steady in May at 5.7 percent, mainly due to approximately 2,000 unemployed Hoosiers returning to the labor force to look for work. Indiana’s rate of unemployment remains more than one-half of a percentage point below the national rate. Indiana’s labor force gains also continue to outpace the national rate, as the Hoosier labor force has grown by more than 46,000 over the past year, while U.S. increases have been minimal.
Indiana added 4,800 private sector jobs in May, led by the Private Educational & Health Services (+2,100) and Professional & Business Services Sectors (+1,000). Since July of 2009, the low point of employment in the state, Indiana has added nearly 223,000 private sector jobs.
“The Hoosier labor force has grown significantly for the past eight months in a row,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “This is not the case with some of our neighboring states who have experienced unemployment rate declines due to decreases in their labor force. It is clear that Hoosiers are going back to work and that good jobs are available.”
The unemployment rate in Marshall County for May 2014 was 5.6 ranking us 44nd of the 92 counties. Looking at counties around Marshall County you find LaPorte at number 7 on the list with a rate of 7.3. Saint Joseph County is 17th on the list with a rate of 6.7 and Starke County is 19th with a 6.6 rate. Fulton County has a rate of 6.2 ranking then 29 of the 92 counties and Elkhart is 53rd with a rate of 5.3. Kosciusko County is ranked 90th with a rate of 4.3.
Sanders also noted claims for state unemployment insurance in May were more than 10,000 below May 2013 levels. Initial claims and continued claims remain at levels not seen since 2000.
Sectors showing gains in May include: Private Educational and Health Services (2,100), Professional and Business Services (1,000), Leisure and Hospitality (800), Construction (800), and Manufacturing (300). Total non-farm employment increase in May by (5,000). The Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost (-1,100) and Financial Activities had a decline of (-700) in May.
Midwest Unemployment Rates
May 2013 April 2014 May 2014 Monthly Change
Indiana 7.7% 5.7% 5.7% 0.0%
U.S. 7.5% 6.3% 6.3% 0.0%
Illinois 9.2% 7.9% 7.5% -0.4%
Kentucky 8.3% 7.7% 7.7% 0.0%
Michigan 8.9% 7.4% 7.5% 0.1%
Ohio 7.4% 5.7% 5.5% -0.2%
