Elkhart County jobless rate drops, but tops state list with 16.7 percent for July 2009

By Tom Lange, Truth Staff

tlange@etruth.com

Elkhart County was back at the top of the state's jobless list in July, though the county's unemployment numbers continued to fall, according to figures released today form the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Elkhart County's numbers fell slightly from 16.8 percent in June to 16.7 percent last month. Howard County's unemployment rate, which topped the list last month at 19.7 percent, fell to 14.7 percent.

The five Indiana counties with the highest unemployment in July are:

1. Elkhart 16.7 percent

2. Noble 16.6 percent

3. LaGrange 15.7 percent

4. Fayette and Fountain 15.5 percent

The city of Elkhart's unemployment rate remained at 18.8 percent in July while Goshen's unemployment rate rose from 16.5 in June to 16.7 in July.

Indiana cities with the highest unemployment in July are:

1. Elkhart 18.8 percent

2. Goshen 16.7 percent

3. Kokomo 16 percent

4. East Chicago City 15.3 percent

5. Marion 14.3 percent