The unemployment rates for surrounding counties in December (all higher than November) were Jasper 9.4 percent, Starke 10.8, Marshall 9.0, Fulton 8.9, Cass 8.9, and White 8.3.

Thirty-three Indiana counties had an unemployment rate of 9.0 percent or higher in December. Last month that number was 24.

Starke County remained in the state's top 10 of counties with highest unemployment, at No. 6. Nearby LaPorte County (No. 8 at 10.5 percent) and Miami County (No. 7 at 10.7 percent) are also in the top 10.

Vermillion County (at 12.1 percent) was the county with the state's highest unemployment rate ranking. Sullivan was No. 2 at 11.8 percent. Pulaski County dropped to a tie with Vanderburg County for 67th place. DuBois County (5.9 percent) continued as the county with the state's lowest unemployment rate, followed by Hamilton County at 6.3 percent.

December 2012 Indiana Employment Report

INDIANAPOLIS  – Indiana’s private sector employment grew by 8,300 jobs in December, further bolstering a remarkable year of job gains. The Hoosier State added nearly 54,000 jobs in 2012, the largest growth in a calendar year in over a decade.

Private sector employment in Indiana is now at almost 97 percent of pre-recession levels. Claims for unemployment insurance continue to remain below 2005 levels. 

“As evidenced by our December employment numbers, Indiana experienced an exceptional year of job growth in 2012,” said Scott B. Sanders, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. “The Hoosier State has increased private sector employment by nearly 157,000 since July 2009, the low point of employment in our state, and has been a national leader in job growth during that period.”

Sanders also noted that while private sector employment increased significantly in December, Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 8.2 percent mainly due to more than 7,000 unemployed Hoosiers returning to the labor force to look for work.

Employment sectors in Indiana that exceeded the national rate of growth in 2012 include Manufacturing (3.7 percent versus 1.5 percent), Leisure and Hospitality (4.3 percent versus 2.4 percent), Trade, Transportation & Utilities (2.6 percent versus 1.4 percent) and Construction (1.4 percent versus 0.3 percent). Indiana’s rate of private sector growth again exceeded the national rate in 2012 (2.2 percent versus 1.7 percent).

Employment by Sector

Sectors showing gains in December include: Construction (4,300), Leisure and Hospitality (2,000),Professional and Business Services (1,900) and Financial Activities (1,400). The Private Educational & Health Services (-700) sector showed decline. Total non-farm employment increased in December (6,000).