Indiana Unemployment Rate Ticks Higher Again
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state’s unemployment rate has risen slightly to 3.9 percent, offset in part by a gain of 2,500 jobs in the private sector. The unemployment rate, which has gone up in each of the last four months, has increased 0.9 percent since June.
Indiana’s unemployment rate is lower than the 4.1 percent national average and labor force participation in the state — 64.2 percent — is higher than the 62.7 percent national average. The October report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the Indiana labor force had a net decrease of nearly 11,700, compared to September.
Year-to-date, the DWD says private sector employment has gained 22,600. October figures show a 3,400 increase in the private Financial Activities sector and a 2,100 increase in the private Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector. The Professional Business Services and Construction sectors on the private employment side combined for a loss of 5,400. Indiana is 14,700 jobs above peak private sector employment, which it hit November 2016.
Though not the lowest in the Midwest as it was one year ago, Indiana is still fairing better than most in the region. The state placed third in the Midwest behind Minnesota at 3.3 percent and Wisconsin at 3.4 percent in October. Next in line are Michigan at 4.5 percent, Illinois at 4.9 percent, Kentucky at 5 percent and Ohio at 5.1 percent.