Indiana’s unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percent to 5.8 percent in March. The unemployment rate in the Hoosier State is now down by 2.4 percentage points over the past two years, and the labor force has grown by roughly 72,000 individuals. Although Indiana’s labor force participation rate declined by 0.2 percent to 63.6 percent in March, it continues to be nearly a full percent higher than the national average, and has exceeded the national rate for 12 months in a row.
Marshall County’s unemployment rate in March was 5.1 percent or 66th on the list of 92 counties compared to 5.5% in February. Looking at the counties surrounding Marshall you will find Starke County at 7.6% and 11th in the list of counties. St. Joseph County is 35th on the list with a rate of 6.2% followed by Fulton County who’s 43 on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 5.7%. Pulaski County has an unemployment rate of 5.1% and is ranked 68th while Kosciusko is 81st with a rate of 4.7% and Elkhart County who has a rate of 4.5% and is 88th on the ranking list.
Vermillion County tops the list of 92 counties with an unemployment rate of 8.8% while Hamilton County is 92nd with a rate of 4.0.
Despite Indiana’s decrease in unemployment rate in March, private sector employment in the Hoosier State declined by 800 individuals. A 5,200 job decrease in the Professional & Business Services sector was partially offset by an increase of 1,900 jobs in the Trade, Transportation & Utilities sector, as well as a 1,300 job bump in the Manufacturing sector. Private sector employment in the Hoosier State has grown by 95,000 over the past two years, and since July 2009, the low point of employment, 264,700 private sector jobs have been added in total.
“Indiana’s economic indicators in 2015 remain positive on the whole,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “Additionally, continued claims for unemployment insurance remain at their lowest levels in fifteen years, which is also an encouraging trend as we enter the spring and summer months.”
Sectors showing gains in March include: Trade, Transportation & Utilities (1,900),Manufacturing (1,300), and Leisure and Hospitality (600). The Professional and Business Services (-5,200), Financial Activities (-500), and Construction (-200) sectors declined in March. Total nonfarm employment decreased in March (-1,200).
