Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent in November, continuing the trend of the lowest unemployment levels experienced in the Hoosier State since August of 2001. Indiana’s labor force also maintained the recent trend, gaining more than 7,000 in November. Indiana has now added nearly 100,000 individuals to the labor force since January 2013, which leads the Midwest. The gap in the labor force participation rate between Indiana and the national average further improved in November (63.7 percent vs. 62.5 percent). Indiana’s rate has now exceeded the national rate for nineteen consecutive months.
Marshall County’s unemployment rate continues to see a slight increase. From September to October our rate increased from 3.5 to 3.6. The November rate increased to 3.9.
Looking at the counties surrounding Marshall, LaPorte County continues to top of the list of area counties. In October they had a rate of 5.8 and although they had a slight tick down at 5.7 they are still 8th on the list of 92 counties. Starke County was steady for September and October with an unemployment rate of 5.0 but they saw an increase to 5.6 for November. Saint Joseph County continues to see slight monthly increases in their unemployment rate. In September is 2as 4.2 while October was 4.4 and November is 4.7. Fulton County follows the same pattern with 3.8 in September, 4.1 in October and 4.5 in November. Kosciusko County is 64th on the list of 92 counties with a rate of 4.0, up from 3.7 in October while Elkhart County’s rate increased from 3.5 in October to a 3.8 in November.
Vermillion County stayed at the top the list of 92 counties with an unemployment rate of 6.6 and Hamilton County is on the bottom of the list for October with an unemployment rate of 3.3.
Private sector employment in The Hoosier State increased by 3,400 in November, as significant gains occurred in the Construction (+2,800) and Trade, Transportation & Utilities (+2,500) sectors. Increases were partially offset by losses in the Manufacturing sector (-3,300). Indiana has added 54,000 private sector jobs over the past 12 months.
“Unemployment in The Hoosier State continues to be at its lowest levels in more than a decade,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “Meanwhile, Indiana continues to lead the Midwest in labor force growth by a significant amount.”
Braun also noted that total claims for unemployment insurance in Indiana for 2015 are at their lowest levels since 1997.
