Putnam jobless rate better as Indiana figures keep shining

While Indiana's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued to drop further below the national rate in March, there also was some better news for the Putnam County jobless picture.

At 5.9 percent, the rate of unemployment in the Hoosier State is now at its lowest point since July 2008 and has declined by two percent over the year, which was the third largest decline in the nation.

In Putnam County, meanwhile, the March jobless rate was 7.0 percent, a much better number than the 8.6 percent figure posted locally for February.

Figures released this week by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development show Putnam County ranked 63rd overall among Indiana's 92 counties for March. That was significantly better than February when the county posted the 13th-worst unemployment rate in the state.

Putnam's March numbers fared better than three neighboring counties as Owen County, at 7.9 percent, tied for 10th worst (or 82nd best) last month and Parke and Clay counties once again found themselves in the bottom 20 of the state rankings.

For March, Clay was tied for 19th worst (74th best) at 7.2 percent, while Parke was at 7.4 percent, good for a tie for 16th worst (77th best).

Meanwhile, neighboring Hendricks County, perennially a top-10 occupant, was listed sixth overall at 4.9 percent in March. Montgomery, at 5.8 percent, tied for the 32nd with four others while Morgan was tied for 52nd at 6.4 percent in the latest state jobless rankings.

The state's best unemployment figure is again owned by Hamilton County at 4.3 percent with Dubois at 4.4 percent for second, followed by Daviess at 4.5 percent, Bartholomew fourth at 4.7 percent and Knox fifth at 4.8.

Rounding out the top 10 for March are LaGrange, Koscuisko and Jackson counties, all tied for sixth at 5.0 percent, followed by Boone (5.1 percent), and Wells, Warrick and Johnson (all at 5.2).

Landing at the bottom of the Hoosier jobless rankings for March were Vermillion at 9.8 percent, followed by LaPorte at 8.6, Lake at 8.4 and Fayette, Jasper and Lawrence, all at 8.3 percent.

Completing the bottom 10 are Starke at 8.2, Newton and Vigo at 8.1 with Crawford and Owen tied for 10th at 9.0.

Overall, Indiana's labor force increased again in March, marking the sixth straight month of labor force increases. The Hoosier labor force has grown by more than 25,000 in the first quarter of 2014.

The Hoosier State added 3,200 private sector jobs in March. Indiana ranks eighth in the nation in total private sector job growth since July 2009, the low point of employment in the state. During that time, Indiana has grown 215,500 private sector jobs.

Over the past year, Indiana's manufacturing job growth of 12,700 leads the nation, solidifying its position as the state with the largest percentage of manufacturing jobs as a portion of the private sector in the country.

"Indiana's unemployment rate is now below six percent for the first time since July 2008," said Scott B. Sanders, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "Our rate has dropped by two percentage points in one year, which is the third largest decline in the nation. The Hoosier labor force has grown by more than 25,000 in the first quarter of 2014 alone, which is also remarkable."