Indiana’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady To End 2015

The state Department of Employment and Workforce said Tuesday that South Carolina’s jobless rate was 5.5 percent in December, the same as November.

The report showed Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased by 1,400, the result of 3,700 more employed and 2,300 fewer unemployed Arkansans.

Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas rose by 2,600 in December compared to November to reach 1,227,900.

Indiana’s labor force participation rate has outperformed the national average for 20 months in a row. From November, unemployment rates increased in 68 counties, decreased in six counties, and did not change in 14 counties.

Indiana’s unemployment rate has been less than 5 percent since June. Almost half of those jobs came in retail trade because of the holiday shopping season.

The Hoosier State has added the 2 most Manufacturing jobs (+91,800) in the USA since July 2009, at a rate that ranks 2 in the nation (+21.5%). In December, losses in the manufacturing, private education and health services, financial activities, professional and business services and leisure and hospitality offset gains in trade, transportation and utilities as well as construction. Eight major industry sectors posted growth, with five adding 1,500 or more jobs, each.