State’s unemployment rate drops below 10 percent

  • Comments
  • Print
Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
This audio file is brought to you by
0:00
0:00
Loading audio file, please wait.
  • 0.25
  • 0.50
  • 0.75
  • 1.00
  • 1.25
  • 1.50
  • 1.75
  • 2.00

Indiana’s unemployment rate has dipped below double digits for the first time since March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said Tuesday morning.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 9.9 percent in October, from 10.1 percent the previous month.

“Since the beginning of the year, we have seen strong growth in several key industries,” DWD Commissioner Mark W. Everson said in a written statement. “Overall, private sector employment has increased twice as fast in Indiana as the nation.”

Indiana gained 49,700 private-sector jobs this year, an increase of 2.1 percent over the same time last year. In October, the state gained 7,600 private-sector jobs after losing 7,500 in September.

Sectors reporting job growth included professional and business services; construction; private education and health services; and trade, transportation and utilities.

Sectors reporting declines included leisure and hospitality, and government.

Indiana and its Midwestern neighbors all reported unemployment-rate drops in October. Illinois has the lowest rate, 9.8 percent, followed by Indiana and Ohio at 9.9 percent, Kentucky at 10 percent, and Michigan at 12.8 percent.

The national rate held steady at 9.6 percent.

The number of unemployed Hoosiers fell to 288,041 in October, from a revised 297,753 in September.

In the Indianapolis metro area, the non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 8.5 percent in October, down from 8.7 percent in September, but up from 8.3 percent in October 2009.

Comparisons of metro areas are most accurately made using the same months in prior years, because the government does not adjust the figures for factory furloughs and other seasonal fluctuations.
 

Please enable JavaScript to view this content.

Story Continues Below

Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. Please note our comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated.

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In