Unemployment rates in several of Indiana's metropolitan areas increased in December.

Jobless rates in the metro areas of Gary, which includes Lake County; Michigan City-La Porte, South Bend-Mishawaka and Elkhart-Goshen all rose in December when compared to December 2017, according to data released by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. 

The Gary area jobless rate in December was 4.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent in November, and up from 4.4 percent in December 2017.

The Michigan City-La Porte jobless rate in December was 4.7 percent, up from 4.5 percent in November and up from 4.1 percent in December 2017.

The Elkhart-Goshen jobless rate in December was 2.8 percent, down from 3 percent in November, but up from 2.1 percent in December 2017.

The South Bend-Mishawaka jobless rate in December was 3.7 percent, which was unchanged from November but up from December 2017's figure of 3.4 percent.

The state's December jobless rate was 3.6 percent, which was unchanged from November, but up from 3.4 percent in December 2017. The nation's jobless rate in December was 3.9 percent, up from 4.1 percent in December 2017.