Indiana’s labor force grew in April when compared to the same month a year ago.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development recently reported that the state’s labor force now stands at 3,415,523. The state’s labor force in April 2018 was 3,378,799.
According to the state, the number is considered an important indicator of economic growth because it counts both those who have a job or are actively searching for one. The new peak for the state is preliminary and could be revised later.
Year over year, 37,495 more Hoosiers have joined the labor force since April 2018. Also, Indiana’s labor force participation rate in April was 65.3 percent, which was higher than the national average of 62.8 in April.
This is where Indiana ranked nationally in selected employment categories:
- Second in manufacturing jobs added (116,500) since July 2009;
- Fourth in manufacturing job growth (27.3 percent) since July 2009;
- Eighth in construction job growth (6.9 percent) over the year;
- Eighth in private education and health services job growth (3.3 percent) over the year.
Indiana’s unemployment rate in April remained unchanged from the previous month at 3.6 percent and is even with the national rate, which dipped from 3.8 percent to 3.6 percent.
Indiana’s jobless rate has decreased 7 percentage points since July 2009—the high point of unemployment in Indiana. The state said that ranks Indiana 10th in the nation for biggest drop in state unemployment.
