Indiana’s unemployment rate in September was 3.4%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate reported for September was 4.2%.
In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate is 63.1% compared to the national rate of 61.8%. This rate is the percentage of Hoosiers 16 and older who are either working or actively looking for work. Those not in the labor force include, primarily, students, retirees, and other non-working populations, such as individuals unable to work due to a disability or illness, or adults responsible for their family’s childcare needs. Indiana’s total labor force stands at 3,490,597.
Marshall County’s September unemployment rate was 3.4%, ranking 59th of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Looking at the counties surrounding Marshall County, you will find Starke County 3rd on the unemployment list with a rate of 4.5%. Elkhart County is ranked 18th with a rate of 3.8%, and then you jump to Kosciusko County, which is 48th on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate was 4.0%, and LaPorte County was ranked 60th with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Fulton County is 70th on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 3.7 and Pulaski County has the lowest rate in the state with a 2.8 and ranked 92nd. Lake County has the highest unemployment rate at 4.7%, ranking it number one.
September 2026 total private employment is 2,848,000 an increase of 3,200 since August.
Industries that experienced job increases this month included:
Private Educational & Health Services (+3,700)
Manufacturing (+3,500)
All Other (+400)
As of September 30, 2026, there were 106,223 open job postings throughout the state. As of the week ending on October 3, 2026, Indiana had 16,671 continued unemployment insurance claims filed.
Individuals looking for work, training or career information are encouraged to visit in.gov/dwd/job-seekers.
