Jobless rates across metropolitan areas of Northwest and North Central Indiana rose in November when compared to the same month a year ago.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reported higher November jobless rates in the Elkhart-Goshen area, Gary area, Michigan City-La Porte area, and South Bend-Mishawaka area when compared to November 2017.

The Gary area’s jobless rate was 4.6 percent in November, up from 4.2 percent in November 2017. When compared to October, the rate was unchanged.

The Michigan City-La Porte area unemployment rate in November was 4.5 percent, up from October’s jobless rate of 4.3 percent and an increase from November 2017’s figure of 3.9 percent.

In the Elkhart-Goshen area, the November jobless rate was 3 percent, up from 2.9 percent in October and up from the November 2017 figure of 2.4 percent.

The South Bend-Mishawaka area’s jobless rate in November was 3.7 percent, which was unchanged from October, but an increase from 3.5 percent in November 2017.

The state reported private sector employment in Indiana grew by more than 25,900 year-to-date through November and increased by 2,800 over October, primarily due to 3,100 more jobs being added in manufacturing and 1,900 jobs added in the private educational and health services sectors. The state said employment gains were partially offset by 2,000 lost jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sectors and 1,000 lost jobs in leisure and hospitality.

Indiana’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate in November was 3.6 percent, which was higher than the state’s November 2017 jobless rate of 3.4 percent. The U.S. jobless rate in November was 3.7 percent, down from November 2017 when it was 4.1 percent.