Unemployment continued to remain steady in the State of Indiana in October while showing marginal fluctuations both up and down in Northwest Indiana, with the largest drop recorded in Chesterton.

According to a statement released on Friday by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in November, compared to 9.8 percent in October. The national unemployment rate also dropped 0.2 percent in November to 10.0 percent.

“Indiana’s unemployment rate appears to have reached a plateau these last four months in the mid to upper 9-percent range,” DWD Commissioner Teresa Voors said. “It is encouraging to see a slowing of job losses as evidenced by 40 percent fewer initial claims for unemployment when compared to November of last year.”

Seasonally-adjusted total non-farm employment in Indiana declined by 6,400 in November, the statement said. Most employment sectors reported declines: private education and health (-4,600), financial services (-2,500), and other services (-2,400). The state’s manufacturing sector added 5,200 positions, however, mostly attributed to recalls of temporarily laid-off autoworkers. No other sectors reported significant employment gains in the month.

Indiana again reported the lowest unemployment rate of its neighboring states in November. Illinois dropped 0.1 percent to 10.9 percent. Ohio’s rose by 0.1 percent to 10.6 percent. Kentucky fell by 0.7 percent to 10.6 percent. Michigan also fell by 0.4 percent to 14.7 percent.

In Porter County, meanwhile, the pre-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November rose marginally to 8.3 percent from 8.2 percent (5.7 percent in November 2008). Across Porter County 6,745 people were looking for work in November, compared to 6,735 in October, an increase of 0.15 percent (an increase of 41.9 percent since November 2008).

In Lake County the unemployment rate in November rose to 9.9 percent, from 9.6 percent in October (7.2 percent in November 2008). In LaPorte County the unemployment rate in November remained steady at 10.9 percent, the same as in October (7.3 percent in November 2008).

In Chesterton, on the other hand, the unemployment rate in November dropped to 7.6 percent, from 7.9 percent in October (5.5 percent in November 2008). A total of 503 people were looking for work in November, compared to 524 in October, an decrease of 4 percent (an increase of 33.1 percent since November 2008).

Data for the towns of Porter and Burns Harbor were not available.

In Valparaiso the unemployment rate in November increased to 7.7 percent, from 7.5 percent in October (5.3 percent in November 2008). A total of 1,176 people were looking for work in November, compared to 1,145 in October, an increase of 2.7 percent (an increase of 41.9 percent since November 2008).

In Portage the unemployment rate in November rose to 9.5 percent, from 9.3 percent in October (7.2 percent in November 2008). A total of 1,715 people were looking for work in November, compared to 1,669 in October, an increase of 2.75 percent (an increase of 28.5 percent since November 2008).

Unemployment elsewhere:

•In Gary the rate fell in November to 11.5 percent, from 11.7 percent in October (9.1 percent in November 2008).

•In East Chicago the rate jumped in November to 12.5 percent, from 12.1 percent in October (10.9 percent in November 2008).

•In Hammond the rate rose in November to 11.0 percent, from 10.9 percent in October (8.8 percent in November 2008).

•In Michigan City the rate rose in November to 11.7 percent, from 11.4 percent in October (7.9 percent in November 2008).

•In LaPorte the rate plummeted in November to 11.0 percent, from 11.9 percent in October (8.1 percent in November 2008).

The official national unemployment rate in November decreased to 10.0 percent from 10.2 percent in October.

But—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—if “discouraged workers,” “all other marginally attached workers,” and “total employed part-time for economic reasons” are included in the tally, the unofficial national unemployment rate in November increased to 16.4 percent from 16.3 percent in October.

“Marginally attached workers” are those “who indicate that they want a job, have looked for work in the last 12 months (or since they last worked if they worked within the last 12 months), and are available for work.”

“Discouraged workers” are a subset of marginally attached workers and are not currently looking for work for several reasons, including their belief that no job is available for them in their line of work in the area.

“Persons employed part-time for economic reasons” are those “who want and are available for full-time work but have had to settle for a part-time schedule.”

Posted 12/21/2009