State's Unemployment Rate Falls Despite Decline in Manufacturing Jobs

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's unemployment rate fell to 5 percent in May, led by a boost in hiring in trade, transportation and utilities.

While parts of the private sector added nearly 13,000 jobs last month, manufacturing took a hit, eliminating 2,100 jobs.

Still, the overall job growth continues to set Indiana records – more Hoosiers have been working than ever before, which is called peak employment. And the private sector has added jobs eight out of the 11 months since Indiana reached a new peak employment level last July.

In a statement, Governor Mike Pence heralded what he calls the “strong momentum” of the Hoosier economy. Yet the Indiana Democratic Party points out that Indiana’s per capita income has fallen to 38th in the country, and the state’s economy grew less than the national average last year.