Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.1percent for July and remains lower than the national rate of 4.3 percent. The unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force decreased by 1,077 over the previous month due to a 4,008 decrease in employment and a 2,931 increase in unemployment. Indiana’s total labor force continues to stand at more than 3.33 million, and the state’s 64.3 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 62.9 percent.
The July unemployment rate in Marshall County was 2.9 ranking us 78th of the 92 counties. After maintaining an unemployment rate of 2.3 in April and May, Marshall County saw a slight increase in unemployment in June with a rate of 2.6. As you can see the unemployment rate is now seeing a slight increase.
Taking a look at counties surrounding Marshall you will find Starke County at 16th on the list of counties with a rate of 4.0 a half percent increase from the June rate of 3.5.
Fulton County is also experiencing slight increases in their unemployment number. The July rate is 3.3 an increase from the June rate of 2.9 and the May rate of 2.7.
Pulaski County’s rate increased from 2.9 in June to 3.4 in July ranking them 48th of the 92 states.
St. Joseph County is ranked 34th with a rate of 3.6. This is a half point up from the June rate of 3.1 and nearly a whole point higher than the 2.7 rate in April.
Kosciusko and Elkhart counties remain near the bottom of the list of 92 counties. Kosciusko County’s rate in July was 2.7 ranking them 88th while Elkhart’s rate was 2.5 keeping them at the bottom of the list of counties.
“Indiana’s unemployment rate continues to be both at near-record lows and well below the national numbers,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). “The recently-announced Next Level Jobs grant from the Governor will continue to support this momentum as its collaboration among employers and critical stakeholders will develop new talent and resources at the local level. This program and others designed to improve skills are an indication that the Hoosier work ethic is as strong as ever and will prevail amidst workforce challenges and opportunities.”
Despite a slight increase over the past month, the unemployment rate is a reflection of the state’s constricting labor market, according to Braun. The long-term challenge of developing the state’s workforce to meet employer demand of more than one million jobs over the next 10 years remains DWD’s top priority, he added.
