Economic Growth Region 2
Statistical Data Report for February 2024, Released April 2024
State Unemployment and Unemployment
Unemployment rates were higher in February in 3 states, lower in 3 states, and stable in 44 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Twenty-eight states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 3 states had decreases, and 19 states and the District had little change. North Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in February, 2.0 percent. The next lowest rate was in South Dakota, 2.1 percent. California had the highest unemployment rate, 5.3 percent, closely followed by Nevada, 5.2 percent.
The national unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage point to 3.9 percent and was 0.3 point higher than in February 2023.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 4 states and was essentially unchanged in 46 states and the District of Columbia in February 2024. Job gains occurred in Texas (+49,8g00, or +0.4 percent), Illinois (+23,100, or +0.4 percent), Michigan (+15,200, or +0.3 percent), and Iowa (+11,000, or +0.7 percent).
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 25 states and was essentially unchanged in 25 states and the District of Columbia. The largest job gains occurred in Texas (+291,400), Florida (+226,200), and California (+179,700). The largest percentage increases occurred in Nevada (+3.4 percent), Alaska (+3.1 percent), and South Carolina (+3.0 percent).
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Research & Analysis, Local Area Unemployment Statistics | Unemployment Statistics Released:02/24 | Notes: The data displayed are presented as estimates only. The most recent month’s data are always preliminary and are revised when the next month’s data are released.
*Midwest region = Midwest Urban Average. Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin | Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Research and Analysis
Economic Growth Region (EGR) 2
Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko,
Marshall, and St. Joseph Counties
Unemployment Rates by State
(seasonally adjusted):
February 2024
U.S. – 3.9%
Illinois – 4.8%
Indiana – 3.5%
Kentucky – 4.4%
Michigan – 3.9%
Ohio – 3.7%
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Unemployment Rank by County
(of 92 Counties): February 2024
#13 – Fulton (4.9%)
#20 – St. Joseph (4.8%)
#30 – Elkhart (4.4%)
#35 – Kosciusko (4.2%)
#36 – Marshall (4.2%)
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Research and Development, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Unemployment Claims: February 2024
REGION 2
Initial Claims
02/03/24 – 389
02/10/24 – 330
02/17/24 – 275(D)
02/24/24 – 259(D)
Continued Claims
02/03/24 – 2,266
02/10/24 – 2,336
02/17/24 – 2,304
02/24/24 – 2,299
Total Claims
02/03/24 – 2,655
02/10/24 – 2,666
02/17/24 – 2,579
02/24/24 – 2,558
STATE OF INDIANA
Initial Claims
02/03/24 – 3,503
02/10/24 – 3,221
02/17/24 – 2,861
02/24/24 – 2,594
Continued Claims
02/03/24 – 27,757
02/10/24 – 27,131
02/17/24 – 26,379
02/24/24 – 25,154
Total Claims
02/03/24 – 31,260
02/10/24 – 30,352
02/17/24 – 29,240
02/24/24 – 27,748
Notes: (D) Indicates one or more counties are excluded due to non-disclosure issues | Numbers subject to weekly revision |Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Research and Analysis
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, WARN Notices | For information on WARN Act requirements, you may go to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Training Administration Fact Sheet:
Elkhart-Goshen MSA Trends
Source: Indiana Dept of Workforce Development, Research and Analysis, Current Employment Statistics
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Research & Analysis, Current Employment Statistics | Note: Historical data for the most recent 4 years (both seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted) are revised near the beginning of each calendar year, prior to the release of January estimates for statewide data.
South Bend-Mishawaka MSA Trends
Source: Indiana Dept of Workforce Development, Research and Analysis, Current Employment Statistics
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Research & Analysis, Current Employment Statistics | Note: Historical data for the most recent 4 years (both seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted) are revised near the beginning of each calendar year, prior to the release of January estimates for statewide data.
Statewide Occupation Trends
Source: Indiana Workforce Development, Indiana Career Connect
Source: Indiana Workforce Development, Indiana Career Connect
Census Bureau Index of Economic Activity
All estimates are seasonally adjusted except for the Rental Vacancy Rate and Home Ownership Rate. None of the estimates are adjusted for price changes.
(*) The 90% confidence interval includes zero. The Census Bureau does not have sufficient statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change is different from zero.
(°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable for these surveys. The Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories and Orders estimates are not based on a probability sample, so we can neither measure the sampling error of these estimates nor compute confidence intervals.
(r) Revised.
https://www.census.gov/economic-indicators/ Visited 4/3/2024
County Unemployment Rates
February 2024
Questions?
Please contact the DWD Representative below:
Kathy Jaworski
Regional Labor Analyst
Research and Analysis
Disclaimer
All information reported was provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The Indiana Labor Market Review is published monthly and can be obtained by contacting your DWD Representative