Unemployment Rate Makes Biggest Two-Month Jump Since Recession

Indiana’s unemployment rate increased to 3.8 percent in September, its highest level in six months. And the rise in the unemployment rate over the last two months is the biggest jump since the recession.

The unemployment rate jumped 0.3 percent last month, up from 3.5 percent. That’s after a 0.4 percent increase in August. The state hasn’t seen a two-month increase that big since April of 2009.

It also marks four consecutive months of the rate rising – the first time that’s happened in six years.

Yet private sector job growth surged in September, with 8,200 jobs added. That growth was led by the trade, transportation, and utilities sector.

And the state’s labor force grew for the second consecutive month. The labor force measures people who have a job or are actively looking for one. And economists typically view growth in the labor force as a sign of optimism in the economy.