The unemployment rate of the State of Indiana in February stands at 3.5%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate for February stands at 3.9%.
In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate stands at 62.8% for February, remaining above the national rate of 62.5%. This rate is the percentage of Hoosiers 16 and older who are either working or actively looking for work. Those not in the labor force include, primarily, students, retirees, and other non-working populations, such as individuals unable to work due to a disability or illness, or adults responsible for their family’s childcare needs.
Looking at the unemployment figures for Marshall County you find Marshall County 36th on the list of the 92 counties in the state with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. In January, the county was 41st on the list with a 3.9% rate. Looking back over the last few years, in 2023 the county was ranked 34th with an unemployment rate of 3.7%. In 2022 Marshall County’s unemployment rate was 2.1% and in 2021 it was 3.9%. Taking a quick look at the counties surrounding Marshall you will find Starke County 3rd on the list of counties with a rate of 5.5%, an increase of nearly a half percent from January’s rate of 5.1%. Following up closely behind is LaPorte County which is 5th on the list with a rate of 5.2%, a slight increase from the 5.0% in January. Fulton County is 13th with an unemployment rate of 4.9% up from the 4.6% in January. St. Joseph County is 20th on the list of counties with a rate of 4.8. Last month they were at 4.3% and Elkhart County is 30th in the state with an unemployment rate of 4.4%. In January their rate was 4.1%. Marshall County has an unemployment rate of 4.2% and ranked 36th while Kosciusko County is 35th with that same 4.2% rate. Rounding out the counties surrounding Marshall is Pulaski who is 71st on the list with an unemployment rate of 3.6. Last month their rate was 3.3%. Looking at the highest unemployment rate in Indiana, you will find Lake County at the top of the list again in February with a rate of 6.0%. Last month they topped the list of counties with a rate of 5.7%. Gibson County is the 92nd county on the list with an unemployment rate of 3.0%. They had the best rate in January too with an unemployment rate of 2.8%.Indiana’s total labor force stands at 3,389,372 – a decrease of 8,675 from the previous month.
“Indiana’s overall economic footing and outlook remain solid with near historically low unemployment,” said DWD Commissioner Richard Paulk. “Peak private sector employment – 2,845,200 jobs – is driven by robust labor force participation in the key 25-54 demographic.”
Private sector employment in Indiana increased by 2,800 jobs over the last month, resulting in a gain of 32,200 jobs from this time last year. Indiana’s February private employment stands at 2,845,200.
Industries that experienced job increases in February included:
Private Educational and Health Services (+1,300);
Manufacturing (+1,300);
Leisure and Hospitality (+400);
Professional and Business Services (+300); and
Construction (+100).
As of March 18, 2024, there were 101,325 open job postings throughout the state. As of the week ending on March 2, 2024, Indiana had 25,154 continued unemployment insurance claims filed.
Individuals looking for work, training, or career information are encouraged to visit in.gov/dwd/job-seekers.
