The state unemployment rate inched up in March although the number of jobs actually increased, according to a report released on Friday by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

Locally jobless rates were mixed.

The statewide preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.9 percent in March, up from 9.8 percent in February, while the number of Hoosier jobs increased by 16,000, the “largest over-the-month employment increase since September 2005,” DWD said. “The monthly increase in the unemployment rate is not considered statistically significant.”

“Ten percent of all jobs added in the U.S. (162,000) in March were located in Indiana but more Hoosiers returned to the workforce last month, impacting the rate,” DWD Commissioner Teresa Voors said.

Seasonally adjusted total non-farm employment in Indiana rose by 16,600 in March, the third straight months of employment gains. Sectors reporting significant employment increases included professional and business services (+7,200); manufacturing (6,300); construction (+3,500); and trade, transportation, and utilities (+3,000). Sectors reporting significant declines included leisure and hospitality (-1,100); financial activities (-1,100); and private education and health services (-800).

Indiana is the only state among its neighbors to report an unemployment rate below 10 percent in March and a year-to-year decline in the rate. The national employment rate increased by 1.1 percent compared to March 2009.

The pre-seasonally adjusted rates in Northwest Indiana show improvement in some places and little movement in others.

In Porter County the unemployment rate in March dipped to 9.8 percent from 10.0 percent in February (9.9 percent in March 2009). Across Porter County 7,791 people were looking for work in March, compared to 7,929 in February, a decrease of 1.74 percent (a decrease of 6.6 percent since March 2009).

In Lake County the unemployment rate in March rose to 11.4 percent from 11.2 percent in February (11.0 percent in March 2009). In LaPorte County the unemployment rate in March rose to 13.2 percent from 13.1 percent in February (12.3 percent in March 2009).

In Chesterton the unemployment rate in March increased to 10.0 percent from 9.8 percent in February (10.4 percent in March 2009). A total of 645 people was looking for work in March, compared to 631 in February, an increase of 2.2 percent (a decrease of 9.8 percent since March 2009).

In Valparaiso the unemployment rate in March held steady at 9.0 percent, the same rate as in February (8.6 percent in March 2009). A total of 1,339 people was looking for work in March, compared to 1,344 in February, a statistically insignificant decrease of 0.37 percent (a decrease of 0.5 percent since March 2009).

In Portage the unemployment rate in March rose to 11.3 percent from 11.2 percent in February (11.7 percent in March 2009). A total of 1,983 people was looking for work in March, compared to 1,973 in February, an increase of 0.5 percent (a decrease of 9.4 percent since March 2009).

Unemployment elsewhere in March:

•In Gary the rate increased to 11.6 percent from 11.4 percent in February (12.0 percent in March 2009).

•In East Chicago the rate increased to 14.0 percent from 13.6 percent in February (14.6 percent in March 2009).

•In Hammond the rate increased to 12.9 percent from 12.5 percent in February (12.7 percent in March 2009).

•In Michigan City the rate dipped to 12.8 percent from 12.9 percent in February (12.4 percent in March 2009).

•In LaPorte the rate rose to 14.0 percent from 13.9 percent in February (13.2 percent in March 2009).

The official national unemployment rate in March remained steady at 9.7 percent, the same in as February.

But—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—if “discouraged workers,” “all other marginally attached workers,” and “total unemployed part-time for economic reasons” are included in the tally, the unofficial national unemployment rate in March was 16.9 percent, slightly up from 16.8 percent in February.

“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 who are not currently looking for work for several reasons, including their belief that no job is available for them in their line of work or in their area.

“Persons unemployed 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.”