At a glance
The five counties in Indiana with the highest unemployment are:
* Elkhart, 14.8 percent
* Noble, 14.7 percent
* LaGrange, 14.1 percent
* Fayette, 13.8 percent
* Vermillion, 13.3 percent
In addition, the cities of Elkhart and Goshen remained the top two municipalities with high unemployment. The top five cities are:
* Elkhart, 17.3 percent
* Goshen, 14.6 percent
* Kokomo, 13.7 percent
* Marion, 12.6 percent
* Michigan City, 12.5 percent
By Marilyn Odendahl, Truth Staff
modendahl@etruth.com
After eight months of decline, unemployment figures in Elkhart County rose slightly in December, according to figures released today from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
The county posted a jobless rate of 14.8 percent in December, up from the 14.4 percent reported in November. In the release, Teresa Voors, commissioner of the DWD, attributed the increase partly to a drop in construction jobs. Across the state, the construction sector lost 4,200 jobs while manufacturing dropped 1,100 and trade, transportation and utilities fell 2,500. Conversely, financial activities gained 1,500 positions in addition to professional and business services tacking on 1,200 jobs.
In March, Elkhart County led Indiana with an 18.9 percent unemployment rate. Since then, the figure has been falling but the county continues to record the highest percentage of residents out of work in the state.
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