Indiana's Unemployment Rate Falls To Lowest Level In 8 Years

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana’s unemployment rate decreased for the seventh consecutive month in September, falling to its lowest level in eight years. 

The Hoosier State’s private sector rebounded from August job losses to add 6,600 jobs last month.  And the unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent, the lowest level since July 2007. 

The number of Hoosiers working, or actively looking for work, has increased more than any other Midwest state over the last two years. But, the rate of the Indiana population’s participation in the labor force is middle of the pack among the state’s neighbors. 

Gov. Mike Pence says he’s encouraged by September’s job figures, adding that Indiana can serve as a blueprint for economic success.  The State Democratic Party levelled a familiar criticism at the governor, noting that job creation numbers are undercut by a continued decline in wages, blaming Pence for Indiana’s rank at 46th in quality of life in a CNBC business climate analysis.