INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Unemployment in Indiana dropped two-tenths in December to four percent, the state’s lowest rate since 2001.
The Indiana labor force increased by 28,419, and unemployment dropped by 16,911 during 2016. During the year unemployment dropped six-tenths of a percent and the private sector added 23,000 jobs.
“Indiana has experienced workforce growth in nearly all measurable areas during 2016; however, we still have work to do to reach our workforce potential as a state,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “Moving forward, it is essential for Indiana to develop and expand programs that equip Hoosiers with the skills necessary to fill the thousands of open positions available today and the one million jobs projected to be available over the next decade.”
December unemployment in Bartholomew County remained unchanged from November at 2.9 percent. Johnson County’s rate remained the same at 3.2 percent. December unemployment inched up in Jackson County from 3.2 to 3.3 percent. Jennings County had the largest unemployment gain, from 4.1 to 4.6 percent, for the same period.
