By Steven Furlow, The Times Staff Writer

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has released Indiana's February employment report and revised the preliminary January unemployment number. 

Indiana's preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in February was 9.4 percent, a 0.1 percent increase from the revised January rate of 9.3 percent. Indiana's February unemployment rate is equal to Ohio's 9.4 percent and slightly ahead of Kentucky's 9.2 percent. Illinois had the lowest unemployment rate of neighboring states at 8.6 percent. Michigan leads the region and the nation at 12.0 percent.

Hamilton County was reported to have a 6 percent unemployment rate, 91st out of 92 counties in Indiana with only Daviess County in southwestern Indiana and its 5.9 percent unemployment rate better. Hamilton County's unemployment number is unchanged from January though their position within the state's counties improved one spot down.

Indiana's 0.1 percent month-to-month increase was the lowest among neighboring states. Illinois reported the largest month-to-month increase at 0.8 percent from January. Ohio showed a 0.6 percent increase. Kentucky's unemployment rate increased 0.5 percent. Michigan had a 0.4 percent increase.


Elkhart County had an 18 percent unemployment rate for February leading the state. Surrounding Hamilton County, Marion County had an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent; Boone County was at 7.7 percent; Clinton County was at 10.5 percent; Tipton had 12.5 percent, highest for the area; Madison was at 10.9 percent; and Hancock County has an unemployment rate of 8.3 percent.

According to the state, Hamilton County's unemployment rate is lower than the 8.9 percent national average.

By comparison Hamilton County has a population of nearly 270,000 ranking it fourth in the state while Daviess County has a population of around 30,000, 54th in the state. Daviess County's unemployment rate was unchanged from January.

Hamilton County had an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent at the same time last year.