Indiana’s unemployment rate in August stands at 2.8%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate in August stands at 3.7%, compared to 3.5% in July.
In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate rose again, from 63.3% in July to 63.4% in August, remaining above the national rate of 62.4%. This is Indiana’s highest participation rate since February 2020. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,401,693 — an increase of 7,761 from the previous month. This is the second-largest labor force in Indiana history and is only exceeded by the November 2019 labor force which was 3,401,751.
Marshall County had an August unemployment rate of 2.5% ranking us 64th of the 92 counties in Indiana. The July rate was 2.9%. Looking further back over the last few years the August Unemployment rates have been 3.1% in 2021, 5.3% in 2020, 3.0% in 2019, and 3.5% in 2018.
Taking a look at the counties surrounding Marshall you will find LaPorte County 5th on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 3.8, an improvement from their July rate of 4.3%. Starke County continues to hoover in the top 10 and in August they were 9th with a rate of 3.6%. In July they had an unemployment rate of 4.2%. St. Joseph County isn’t far behind with a rate of 3.5 and ranked 13th. Last month they had a rate of 3.9%. Fulton County remained 41st with an unemployment rate of 2.8%. Last month their rate was 3.2%. Pulaski County is 57th on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 2.6% an improvement from their July unemployment rate of 3.0%.
Wrapping up the counties surrounding Marshall you will find Kosciusko County at number 63 with a rate of 2.5%, the same as Marshall County. In July they were at 2.9%. Elkhart County is 60th also with an unemployment rate of 2.5%. In July they were 78th with a rate of 2.7%.
Howard County continues to have the highest unemployment rate at 6.9. In July their rate was 5.7%. Ohio County has the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0%.
“The best news in this report is that both the number of Hoosiers employed, and the Indiana labor force continue to grow. This means more Hoosiers are taking advantage of employment opportunities that exist,” said DWD Interim Commissioner Josh Richardson. “While the state’s unemployment rate increased slightly, the number of job openings continues to exceed the number of Hoosiers looking for work, and it remains a good time for Hoosiers to find a job or pursue training to resume or advance their careers.”
Private sector employment in Indiana increased by 600 jobs over the last month, translating to a gain of 81,900 jobs from this time last year. Indiana once again is experiencing a peak in private employment, which now stands at 2,766,600. Industries that experienced job increases in August included:
· Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,400);
· Leisure and Hospitality (+2,500);
· Manufacturing (+600); and
· Private Educational and Health Services (+600).
As of Sept. 6, 2022, there were 145,304 open job postings throughout the state. In August, 16,409 people in Indiana received unemployment benefits.
Individuals looking for work, training, or career advice are encouraged to visit NextLevelJobs.org.
