Indiana’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate declined 0.1 percent again last month and now stands at 4.5 percent. September marked the lowest rate of unemployment in the Hoosier State since July 2007. Additionally, Indiana’s labor force made further gains last month and continues to be a Midwest leader, adding 84,000 individuals since January 2013. At 63.5 percent, Indiana’s labor force participation rate remains more than a full percentage point above the national average.
Marshall County’s unemployment rate for September 3.5 down from the August rate of 3.7. Looking back over the summer the rate was 3.9 in July and 4.0 in June.
Rates for other counties in the area include: LaPorte 5.2, Starke County at 5.0, Saint Joseph 4.2, Fulton County 3.8, Kosciusko at 3.6 and Elkhart County at 3.4.
Private sector employment increased by 6,600 in September and is now 9,200 jobs above March 2000 peak employment levels. Gains were concentrated in the Private Educational & Health Services (+3,000), Leisure and Hospitality (+2,900), Construction (+1,700) and Manufacturing (+500) sectors.
“In September, Indiana experienced another decrease in unemployment due to strong levels of reemployment and labor force gains,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “Indiana continues its robust economic recovery with consistent growth in private sector jobs, wages and labor force participation that are all above the national average.”
Braun also noted weekly claims for unemployment insurance in Indiana continue to be at their lowest levels in more than a decade.
