Indiana unemployment numbers below national average

Monday, December 22, 2025 at 10:42 AM

By Staff report

Indiana's job market continues to outperform the nation, with the state's unemployment rate sitting at 3.7 percent -- below the national rate of 4.4 percent.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development reports that the state added more than 5,000 private sector jobs last month, bringing total private employment to over two-point-eight million.

Surrounding counties show a mixed picture. Elkhart and Fulton counties both reported 3.7% and are ranked 18^th and 19th.

Pulaski County has the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 2.9%. Kosciusko County sits 33^rd on the list with a rate of 3.5%. Starke County has the highest rate in the area at 4.3% and ranked 4^th of the 92 counties in Indiana.

In Marshall County, the unemployment rate stands at 3.4%, ranking the county 47th among Indiana's 92 counties.

The biggest job gains in September came from professional and business services, which added more than 2,000 positions. Leisure and hospitality also added 2,000 jobs, while manufacturing and construction each added 1,800 positions.

Statewide, there are currently more than 88,000 open job postings.

Indiana's labor force participation rate of nearly 64% also tops the national average of 62.4%.