The Hoosier State grew 5,500 private sector jobs in October, led mainly by the Trade, Transportation & Utilities (+3,300), and Manufacturing (+2,500) sectors. Indiana has added private sector jobs 16 of the past 22 months, with monthly increases averaging 3,800. Over the past year, Indiana has consistently led the nation in manufacturing growth, with more than 24,000 jobs in this sector added since last October. Since July 2009, the low point of employment in the state, Indiana has grown 247,500 private sector jobs in total.
In October, Indiana’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 5.7 percent due to an increase of 14,000 individuals to the state’s labor force. Over the past year, the Hoosier labor force has grown by more than 65,000, which ranks as one of the largest increases in the U.S. Indiana’s unemployment rate has decreased by 1.4 percent over the past year. Initial and continued claims for unemployment insurance benefits continue to remain at levels not seen since 2000.
The unemployment rate in Marshall County for October was 5.1 a slight increase in the number of unemployed from September when it was 4.9. The August rate was 5.2 and also in July while in June it was 5.7 and May 5.6.
Looking at the counties surrounding Marshall you will find Saint Joe County 20th on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 6.0 up from 5.9 in September. Elkhart County’s rate for October was 4.8 making them 58th on the list. Their rate in September was 4.6 so they too had a slight increase. Kosciusko County is 87th on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 4.2 for last month. Their rate in September was 4.0. Fulton County followed the trend with a slight increase from 5.1 in September to 5.2 for October. Starke County had an October rate of 6.1 up from 5.9 in September while LaPorte County, who sits 5th of the list of counties with a rate of 6.7 in October saw a slight increase from the 6.5 in September.
Sectors showing gains in October include: Trade, Transportation & Utilities (3,300), Manufacturing (2,500), Private Educational & Heath Services (1,200), Leisure and Hospitality (1,200), and Financial Activities (200). Sectors showing declines in October include Professional & Business Services (-2,200), and Construction (-900). Total nonfarm employment increased in October (7,300).
