As far as 2019 goes, Indiana saw unemployment claims drop to its lowest level in more than a decade and experienced a record number of Hoosiers working in the private sector.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development said in its review of state unemployment data for the past year said Indiana employment peaked in June with 2,750,700 Hoosiers working in the private sector.
“Indiana’s unemployment rate last year was among the lowest in the Midwest, showing that the state’s job-creation efforts are paying off,” said Fred Payne, DWD commissioner.
Unemployment in Indiana fell to 3.2% in September—the lowest it has been since December 2000, the state said. The percentage of jobless in Indiana remained unchanged for four consecutive months, closing out 2019 at 3.2%.
The number of unemployment claims filed in 2019 fell to 190,983 its lowest level in more than 10 years, the state said.
The biggest employment gains in 2019 came from construction, adding 6,900 jobs for a total of 153,900; private education and health services, added 6,300 jobs for a total of 490,700; and professional and business services, added 3,900 jobs for a total of 348,100.
Indiana’s labor force participation rate in December was 64.4%, which was above the U.S. rate of 63.2%.
