INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Workforce participation and unemployment figures in Indiana each set records for the month of August 2016. Total labor force, 3,379,290, and number of employed, 3,226,385, are both all-time highs and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.5 percent in August from 4.6 percent in July. Private sector employment is just under 2,660,000, the 14th consecutive month above the March 2000 peak for unemployment.
Professional and business services increased by 5,300, the highest in any employment category. Leisure and hospitality was up 3,500 and all other categories were up 1,600. The construction sector decreased by 2,300, manufacturing was down 1,400 and trade, transportation and utilities dropped 1,300.