Indiana gained 4,000 private sector jobs in December and ended 2014 with a total of 51,500 jobs added.

The Hoosier state’s continued job growth encouraged the return this month of more than 9,000 Hoosiers to the labor force to look for work. The large influx of jobseekers drove Indiana’s unemployment rate up 0.1 percent to 5.8 percent. Since December 2013, Indiana’s labor force has grown by over 83,000 individuals, nearly twice that of any other Midwestern state. This is the first month in a year that Indiana’s unemployment rate has exceeded the U.S. rate, which declined by 0.2 percent to 5.6 percent, mainly due to a decrease of 273,000 in the national labor force.

Indiana’s private sector growth in December was led mostly by increases in the Professional and Business Services (+3,700), and Manufacturing (+1,600) sectors. Since July 2009, the low point of employment in the state, Indiana has grown a total of 267,000 private sector jobs. The Hoosier state now stands only 18,000 private sector jobs below the all-time peak benchmark of employment in the state, which occurred in March of 2000.

“Indiana’s labor force growth over the past year has been extraordinary,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “Since December 2013, the Hoosier labor force has grown by more than 83,000 individuals, which is nearly twice that of any other Midwestern state. This is proof Hoosiers are confident the state’s economy is improving and are returning to work. It has also directly resulted in an unemployment rate that remains higher than many of our Midwest neighbors.”

Braun also noted 63.7 percent of Hoosiers are participating in the labor force, which is a full percentage point higher than the national average. This marks the ninth month in a row Indiana has exceeded the national labor force participation rate.

Employment by Sector

Sectors showing gains in December include: Professional and Business Services (3,700), Manufacturing (1,600), Private Educational and Health Services (400), and Leisure and Hospitality (300). The Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-1,100) sector was the only to experience declines in December. Total nonfarm employment increased in December (5,100).

Midwest Unemployment Rates

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Total private sector jobs were revised downward (-1,800) for November by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. December employment data for Indiana Counties, Cities, and MSA’s will be available at 12 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2015 pending U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics validation.

The January 2015 Indiana Employment Report will be released on Tuesday, March 17, and the January 2015 Indiana County, City and MSA Employment Report will be released  at 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.

The February 2015 Indiana Employment Report will be released on Friday, March 27, 2015, and the February 2015 Indiana County, City and MSA Employment Report will be released on at 12 p.m. Monday, March 30.

Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Related Articles: 2015 Employment Report Release Dates; IDWD Releases October Employment Numbers