August 2007 Indiana Employment Report

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Employment in Indiana’s payrolls increased 7,600 from July to August, according to the monthly employment report released today by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. 

The state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for August was reported at 4.9 percent, up from 4.6 percent in July. The nation’s unemployment rate remained the same at 4.6 percent. 

Employment Report Highlights (Local Area Unemployment Statistics – LAUS)

Seasonally Adjusted.  According to the monthly LAUS survey, the number of people estimated to be unemployed in Indiana for August was 156,949, up from 148,021 in July and down from 164,348 one year ago. Indiana’s unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in August 2006.  

Indiana’s seasonally adjusted rate of 4.9 percent was the lowest in the six-state Midwest region. The rates reported for the region were Illinois at 5.4 percent, Kentucky at 5.6 percent, Michigan at 7.4 percent and Ohio at 5.7 percent. Three of the six states reported increases in their unemployment rate and three reported decreases.

Non-Seasonally Adjusted. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, Indiana’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in July to 4.8 percent in August. Nationally, the rate for August decreased from 4.9 percent to 4.6 percent. Other Midwestern states non-seasonally adjusted rates for August were Illinois at 5.4 percent, Kentucky at 5.3 percent, Michigan at 7.0 percent and Ohio at 5.4 percent.

Jobs Report Highlights (Current Employment Statistics – CES)

An earlier start to the school year fueled the 7,600 increase in payroll employment reported over the month. Construction employment fell slightly with the weakness concentrated in specialty trade contractors. Professional and business services offset the construction loss on the strength of hiring in employment services while the remaining major components were little changed. Total employment for August was estimated at 2,996,200 up 7,600 from July and up 25,900 from one year ago.

Employment reached its highest level since October 2000. The employment level has been boosted by three consecutive months of significant gains. The government sector, which includes public K-12 education employment, accounts for almost half of the gain with construction, trade, and leisure and hospitality also posting significant over-the-year gains.

The top three supersectors experiencing the greatest growth in jobs in the state over the year are construction, up 2.9 percent, government, up 2.8 percent, and leisure and hospitality, up 2.1 percent.

The top three Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) with the greatest growth in jobs over the year are Columbus, up 3.9 percent, Terre Haute, up 2.5 percent, and Indianapolis-Carmel, up

1.7 percent.

The Department recommends looking at these employment trends and data on a long term basis.

Data Links.  Here are links to the data that comprise the monthly employment report:

Employment Report (LAUS)

• Labor Force Estimates for U.S., Indiana, MSAs, Counties, Cities
• Ranking of Indiana Counties by Unemployment Rate
• 
  

  Indiana County Map with Unemployment Rates

Jobs Report (CES)

• Seasonally-Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Non-Seasonally-Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Detail Employment Listing – Statewide & MSAs

Indiana, National Unemployment Rates – August  2007

Seasonally Adjusted                         Aug 2007           July 2007             Aug 2006

Indiana

Labor Force                                            3,194,938              3,200,870             3,275,769

Employed                                                3,037,989              3,052,849             3,111,421

Unemployed                                               156,949                148,021                 164,348

Rate                                                                    4.9                            4.6                         5.0

U.S. Rate                                                          4.6                           4.6                        4.7           

Not Seasonally Adjusted               Aug 2007                July 2007           Aug 2006 

Indiana

Labor Force                                              3,212,083          3,244,373              3,285,716                                           

Employed                                                  3,057,716           3,098,704              3,120,319                                           

Unemployed                                                154,367              145,669                 165,397                                                           

Rate                                                                       4.8                      4.5                          5.0                                                          

U.S. Rate                                                              4.6                     4.9                         4.6

Non-Seasonally Adjusted Employment, by MSA

Indiana Seasonally Adjusted Non-Farm Jobs – by Major Industry

 The Department of Workforce Development is charged with continually improving the Hoosier workforce by assisting companies to create new jobs and improve employee skills. The agency offers a variety of training and educational grants, partners with Indiana’s 26 WorkOne Centers, administers the unemployment insurance system, provides labor market information, assists employers with preparing workers for layoffs and closures and operates a statewide job placement service.

Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development