(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana’s unemployment rate fell from November to December.

According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the
State’s unemployment rate went from 3 percent in November to 2.7 percent in December. That’s a record low for Indiana, dating back to 1976.

Indiana’s labor force had a net decrease of 8,774 over the previous month, due to an increase of 3,836 employed residents and a decrease of 12,610 unemployed residents.

In addition, private sector employment jumped by 10,900 over the last month and has now increased for six of the last seven months. This has resulted in a gain of 82,400 jobs year over year. Total private employment now stands at 2,705,500, which is 35,000 below the December 2019 peak of 2,740,500.

Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.31 million. The state’s labor force participation rate of 62.4% remains above the national rate of 61.9%.

The monthly increase in jobs can primarily be attributed to increases in Construction (+3,000); Leisure and Hospitality (2,300); Professional & Business Services (2,000); Private Education & Health Services (1,900); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (1,600).

By comparison, the national unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% in November to 3.9% in December.