For the second time in less than a year, Elkhart-Goshen gains national distinction because of vibrancy of its economy

For the second time in less than a year, the Elkhart County area has been singled out because of the vibrancy of its economy. 

In December, the Elkhart-Goshen metropolitan area had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 0.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And even with some softening in the manufacturing-dominated economy in recent months, the unemployment rate in June rose to only 2.3%, still well below the statewide average of 3.2%.

The area’s low unemployment rate was one of the factors that was mentioned in a report released this week that puts Elkhart-Goshen at the top of the Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Index, jumping 11 places from its ranking this spring. 

The purpose of the rankings is to identify the metro areas for home buyers seeking an appreciating housing market, a strong local economy and appealing lifestyle amenities, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“In the current climate of rising cost of living and relatively stagnant wages, the appeal of middle-class jobs in a mid-size Midwestern market is clear, and demand for affordable housing in Elkhart-Goshen has been red-hot,” according to the report.