© 2024 Lakeshore Public Media
8625 Indiana Place
Merrillville, IN 46410
(219)756-5656
Public Broadcasting for Northwest Indiana & Chicagoland since 1987
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our 2024 Spring Membership Drive is on! Donate now to help feed hungry families in the community!

Region unemployment rates up as more residents look for work

Much of Northwest Indiana had a higher unemployment rate than the state as a whole in October.
map provided by Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Much of Northwest Indiana had a higher unemployment rate than the state as a whole in October.

More Northwest Indiana residents are looking for work.

Lake County added 1,474 people to its labor force in October, while Porter County added 588, according to numbers provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. That's pushed Lake County's unemployment rate to 4.1 percent, while Porter County's is three percent.

But many residents also appear to be finding work. The number of residents employed is actually up in both counties, compared to September.

The highest unemployment rate locally continues to be in Gary at 7.1 percent. Valparaiso has one of the lowest local unemployment rates at 2.9 percent.