September 21, 2014
Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 0.1 percent in August to 5.8 percent. Over the past year, unemployment in the Hoosier State has decreased by 1.7%, which is one of the largest rates of decline in the United States. Over this same period, Indiana’s labor force has increased by more than 51,000 workers, also ranking the state near the top in the nation.
Despite the decrease in unemployment, Indiana’s private sector shed 2,600 jobs in August, led primarily by the Private, Educational & Health Services sector, which declined by 4,100 over the month. Losses were somewhat offset by a growth of 900 jobs in the Manufacturing sector, which has added more than 20,000 jobs over the past year. Since July 2009, the low point of employment in the state, Indiana has added over 84,000 manufacturing jobs and the private sector as a whole has expanded by 244,000 workers, both of which rank the state near the top in the United States.
The unemployment rate in Marshall County for August held at 5.2 ranking the county 45th of the 92 counties. The July rate was 5.2 while the June rate was 5.7 and 5.6 in May.
Looking at counties around Marshall County you find LaPorte steady with a rate of 7.0 the same they had in July. Their June rate was 7.5 while the May rate was 7.3.
Saint Joseph County is 13th on the list of counties with a rate of 6.4. Their July rate was 6.7 down from 6.9 in June.
Starke County moved up the list to 16th on the list of counties from 23rd in July with an August rate of 6.3. Last month their rate improved to 6.5 a slight improvement from 6.6 in June.
Fulton County had a rate of 5.4 for August, a decrease in the unemployment rate of 5.7 in July. Their June rate of 6.1 was a tenth of a percent lower than their May ranking of 6.2.
Elkhart County’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.0 in August down from a rate of 5.2 in July and their 5.6 rate in June.
Kosciusko County is ranked 86th in the list of 92 counties with an August unemployment rate of 4.2. In July their rate was 4.5 an improvement from the 4.7 in June.
“Indiana’s unemployment rate has decreased 1.7 percent over the past year, while the labor force has expanded by more than 51,000 workers, which is quite remarkable,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “During the same period, the Hoosier State has also added more than 56,000 private sector jobs. Together, these figures stand in stark contrast to our Midwestern neighbors.”
Sanders also noted initial claims and continued claims for unemployment insurance benefits remain at levels not seen since 2000.
Sectors showing gains in August include: Professional & Business Services (1,000), Manufacturing (900), Financial Activities (300), and Construction (100). Sectors showing declines in August include Private Educational & Health Services (-4,100), Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-500), and Leisure and Hospitality (-300). Total non-farm employment increased in August (3,400).