Unemployment continues to drop in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest point since 2007 in August. 

The unemployment rate now sits at 4.6 percent. That’s down from 4.7 percent in July.

“Over the past 12 months, Indiana has added more than 60,000 private sector jobs, and our unemployment rate continues to fall,” said Gov. Mike Pence in a statement. “Indiana’s labor force participation rate continues to outpace the national average even as unemployment decreases, indicating that Hoosiers continue to be encouraged by our growing economy. Rest assured that my administration will continue to pursue policies that make Indiana a state that works.”

The state lost 5,500 private sector jobs but still has a record number of people employed overall.

The leisure and hospitality sector beefed up by 2,700 jobs. The construction sector added 1,300 additional positions. And, manufacturing grew by a few hundred jobs.

Despite the low unemployment number, Democrats say that doesn’t mean the employment Indiana has is acceptable.

“It’s great Indiana’s unemployment rate continues to follow the national trend set by President Obama following the Great Recession, an economic fallout caused by trickle down economic policies from the Republican Party,” said Indiana Democratic Party Communications Director Drew Anderson in a statement. “However, unlike the national trend, jobs created in Indiana are low wage and only continue to expand the wage gap.”

 

Staff report from thestatehousefile.com