Indiana's Unemployment Rate Increased Slightly In December

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s unemployment rate saw a slight increase in the month of December – the first time in two months the number has fluctuated.

During October and November, the state’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.7 percent, but an influx of private sector job seekers bumped the percentage to 5.8, slightly higher than the national average of 5.6 percent in December.

The December increase can be attributed to a growth in Indiana’s private sector, which attracted roughly 9,000 individuals to the state looking for work. The state gained 4,000 private sector jobs last month and ended 2014 with a total of 51,500 jobs added.

Large increases in the Professional & Business Services and Manufacturing sectors primarily led to the private sector growth.

Since July 2009, the low point of employment in the state, Indiana has gained a total of 267,000 private sector jobs.

“Indiana’s labor force growth over the past year has been extraordinary,” Indiana Workforce Development Commissioner Steven Braun said. “Since December 2013, the Hoosier labor force has grown by more than 83,000 individuals, which is nearly twice that of any other Midwestern state. This is proof Hoosiers are confident the state’s economy is improving and are returning to work. It has also directly resulted in an unemployment rate that remains higher than many of our Midwest neighbors.”

Braun also said that 63.7 percent of Hoosiers are participating in the labor force – a full percentage point higher than the national average.

This marks the ninth month in a row Indiana has exceeded the national labor force participation rate.

Jess Seabolt is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.