Hoosier jobless rate continues decline at 4.0, Putnam at 4.1 for September

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Despite a monthly jobless rate just one-tenth of a percentage point higher than that of the state's stellar 4.0 mark, Putnam County finds itself stuck in the bottom half of Indiana's latest unemployment rankings.

Putnam County ranks 53rd best overall among the state's 92 counties while nonetheless possessing the best September numbers within the west-central Indiana area at 4.1 percent.

That is better than the other west-central Indiana counties of Clay (4.5), Parke (4.6), Owen (5.1) Vigo (5.2), Sullivan (5.6), Greene (5.8) and Vermillion (6.2). With the exception of Clay, the rest of those west-central counties are all mired in the state's bottom 20 for September.

Meanwhile, among counties contiguous to Putnam on the east and north, as usual Hendricks ranks among Indiana's best with a 3.2 percent jobless rate, good for seventh best in the state. Montgomery is tied for 14th at 3.4 percent in the latest figures, while Morgan, at 3.8, is tied for 43rd.

The top 10 Hoosier jobless rates by county for September are Dubois (2.8), Hamilton (2.9), Bartholomew (3.0), LaGrange, Boone and Adams (all 3.1), Tipton, Hendricks and Daviess (3.2) in a tie for ninth with Wells (3.3) occupying the 10th spot.

On the opposite end, the state's bottom 10 is topped by Vermillion County (6.2), followed by Greene (5.8), Lake at 5.7 percent with Sullivan (5.6), Fayette (5.4), Lawrence (5.3), Vigo (5.2), Owen and LaPorte, tied for eighth worst at 5.1, and Blackford, Orange and Starke, all at 5.0, tied for 10th place.

Overall, September marked the lowest rate of unemployment in the Hoosier State since July 2007.

Additionally, Indiana's labor force made further gains last month and continues to be a Midwest leader, adding 84,000 individuals since January 2013. At 63.5 percent, Indiana's labor force participation rate remains more than a full percentage point above the national average.

Private sector employment increased by 6,600 in September and is now 9,200 jobs above March 2000 peak employment levels. Gains were concentrated in the Private Educational and Health Services (+3,000), Leisure and Hospitality (+2,900), Construction (+1,700) and Manufacturing (+500) sectors.

"In September, Indiana experienced another decrease in unemployment due to strong levels of reemployment and labor force gains," Steven J. Braun, Indiana Department of Workforce Development commissioner, said. "Indiana continues its robust economic recovery with consistent growth in private sector jobs, wages and labor force participation that are all above the national average."

Braun also noted weekly claims for unemployment insurance in Indiana continue to be at their lowest levels in more than a decade.

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