INDIANAPOLIS (September 20, 2016) – Indiana set all-time highs in total labor force (3,379,290) and total number of employed (3,226,385) as the state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dipped to 4.5 percent in the month of August. 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, a measure of Hoosiers employed or seeking employment, has increased 78,756 – with 77,113 finding employment – since the start of the year and by nearly 200,000 since January 2013.
“Indiana’s employment and labor force sit at record highs and its labor force participation rate outpaces the nation by nearly three percent, however, significant gains are still achievable to reach our workforce potential as a state,†said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). “As we move forward, it remains essential for DWD, WorkOne and community partners to continue all efforts to locate and train those who are not actively participating in Indiana’s workforce.â€
Commissioner Braun also noted that private sector employment increased by 5,600 jobs in August and stands at 37,100 above the March 2000 peak, which is the 14th-consecutive month above that peak.
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Employment by Sector
The highest levels of growth occurred in the Professional & Business Services (5,300), Leisure & Hospitality (3,500), All Other (1,600) and Financial Services (400)sectors. Gains were partially offset with losses in the Construction (-2,300), Manufacturing (-1,400), Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-1,300) and Private Education & Health Services (-200) sectors. Over the past three years, Indiana’s private sector has grown by 156,800 jobs.
Midwest Unemployment Rates
EDITOR’S NOTES:
Data are sourced from August Current Employment Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
August employment data for Indiana Counties, Cities, and MSA’s will be available Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 12 p.m. pending U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics validation.
