State Unemployment Rate Decreases
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana's unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent in August, compared to 8.4 percent in July. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says it is the largest one-month drop in more than two years. Click here for ranking of Indiana counties by unemployment rate.
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September 20, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 0.3 percent in August to 8.1 percent, the largest one-month decrease in over two years (January 2011). The Hoosier State also added 3,000 manufacturing jobs last month, halting a recent, short-lived decline. Indiana's trend of manufacturing prominence continues, as the state maintains its position of having a higher percentage of manufacturing jobs as a portion of the private sector than any other state. The private educational and health services sector grew by 3,000 jobs in August as well.
Despite a sizeable decrease in the rate of unemployment and increase in manufacturing, Indiana's private sector as a whole decreased in August by 2,900 jobs, as losses in the trade, transportation and utilities and construction sectors offset gains.
“The significant decrease in Indiana's unemployment rate in August is definitely encouraging, but the fact is too many Hoosiers are still unemployed,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “This underscores the need to bring unemployed individuals into WorkOne following their fourth week of receiving benefits. It is vital we get folks on the path to reemployment as soon as possible.”
Sanders also noted initial claims for unemployment insurance this year are still at their lowest levels since 2000.
Employment by Sector
Sectors showing gains in August include: Manufacturing (3,000), Private Educational & Health Services (3,000), and Financial Activities (900). The Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-4,900), Construction (-1,900), Professional and Business Services (-1,800), and Leisure and Hospitality (-300) sectors showed declines. Total non-farm employment increased in August (6,500).
NOTE: Private sector jobs were revised downward (-4,200) for July by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The September 2013 Employment Report will be released on Tuesday, October 22, 2013.
Source: The Indiana Department of Workforce Development