Unemployment Rate Dips Again

The department says the state added more than 11

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The unemployment rate in the state has inched down to 4.6 percent in August. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the rate is the lowest it has been since the same month in 2007. Despite losing 5,500 jobs in the private sector last month, DWD says the state is still at peak employment.

Last month’s rate was 4.6 percent.

The private sector gained 2,700 jobs in leisure and hospitality, 1,300 jobs in construction and 300 additional workers were added in the manufacturing sector. The biggest dip came from professional & business services, with a deficit of 4,900 jobs.

Commissioner Steven Braun says weekly unemployment insurance claims are lower than any point since 1994. "Indiana’s unemployment rate continues to decline in conjunction with large consistent increases in the Hoosier labor force, creating a true decrease in unemployment. This is a positive economic trend that stands in stark contrast to our neighboring states, which have experienced decreases in their respective unemployment rates due in part to stagnant or declining labor forces."