Indiana's Unemployment Rate Rose In February

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana’s unemployment rate went up in February, for only the second time in more than three years.  

Indiana’s private sector added nearly 7,000 jobs last month.  Yet the unemployment rate climbed a tenth of a percent to 4.7 percent, its highest level since June. 

That’s because Indiana's labor force grew by more than more than 20,000.  The labor force is a measure of not just people with jobs, but also people actively looking for jobs. 

Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Steven Braun says though the unemployment rate ticked up, the state’s labor force growth outpaces the national average, and shows growing confidence in the Hoosier economy.  Indiana’s unemployment rate remains below the U.S. average and those of all neighboring states.