Indiana continued to outperform the national economy in March 2026, with the state recording an unemployment rate of 3.3%, well below the national rate of 4.3%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Indiana's strong employment picture is further reflected in its labor force participation rate of 63.3%, which also surpasses the national rate of 61.9%. This figure represents the percentage of Hoosiers age 16 and older who are either currently employed or actively seeking work. Those not counted in the labor force include primarily students, retirees, individuals unable to work due to a disability or illness, and adults responsible for their family's childcare needs. Indiana's total labor force stands at 3,493,123.
Among the surrounding counties, Starke County had the highest unemployment rate in the region at 4.8%, ranking third in the state. Fulton County posted a rate of 4.1%, ranking eleventh.
Further down the list, Kosciusko County ranked 69th with a rate of 3.2%, and Pulaski County fared best among area counties, ranking 84th statewide with an unemployment rate of just 2.9%.
Statewide, Howard County recorded the highest unemployment rate for March at 5.7%, while Union County posted the lowest at 2.6%.
Total private employment in Indiana for March 2026 reached 2,839,200, an increase of 5,400 jobs since February.
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