Indiana’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percent to 4.4 percent in October. The national unemployment rate for October is 4.9 percent. The state’s labor force, a measure of Hoosiers employed or seeking employment, has increased by 83,409 (2.5 percent) over the year. Indiana’s total labor force stands at over 3.3 million and the state’s 65.0 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 62.8 percent.
Marshall County has seen a fairly small drop in the unemployment rate since June. October’s rate was 3.3 ranking us 78th of the 92 counties. Since June our rate was 3.9., July 3.6, August 3.8 and September 3.5.
Looking at the counties that surround Marshall County you will find LaPorte County currently 6th on the list of 92 counties with a rate of 4.9, a nice drop from the September rate of 5.4 and a significant drop from the August rate of 6.0.
Starke County is 18th on the list of counties with an October rate of 4.4 down from the September rate of 4.9 and the August rate of 5.3.
Fulton County sits at 28th on the list with a rate of 4.1, down from 4.4 in September and 4.7 in August.
St. Joseph County is 25th on the list of counties with a rate of 4.2 down from 4.5 in September.
Elkhart County had the best rate for October in the area with 3.2 ranging them 79th on the list. In September their rate was 3.6. Kosciusko County ended up 77th on the list of counties with a rate of3.3 another decrease from September’s rate of 3.6.
“While Indiana’s low unemployment rate is a positive economic indicator, it has also created a challenge for Hoosier businesses to find skilled workers, particularly in fields like information technology and advanced manufacturing,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). “Fortunately, local WorkOne Career Centers can assist unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers in attaining the in-demand skills required to fill the thousands of good-paying jobs currently available across the state.”
Commissioner Braun also noted that private sector employment increased 3,400 over the month and 26,900 over the year. He added that initial unemployment insurance claims remain at the lowest point in over 30 years.
