INDIANAPOLIS (April 17, 2009) – The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released Indiana’s March employment report.
Indiana’s preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in March was 10.0 percent. Indiana’s 0.6 percent month-to-month unemployment gain from February equals increases in Kentucky and Michigan. Illinois recorded a 0.5 percent increase. Ohio reported a 0.2 percent rise in unemployment.
Of Indiana’s neighboring states, Michigan continues to lead the region in unemployment at 12.6 percent. Kentucky stands at 9.8 percent. Ohio’s unemployment rate is 9.7 percent and Illinois reports 9.1 percent.
Indiana’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate last topped 10.0 percent from October 1981 to November 1983. It peaked at 12.8 percent in November 1982. Indiana’s unemployment rate stood at 5.3 percent in March 2008.
“Uncertainty in the manufacturing sector, particularly automotive, is causing a ripple effect in Indiana,” said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “We saw employment declines in auto manufacturing, transportation and logistics as Indiana plants produce, assemble, transport and warehouse fewer products.”
