Indiana’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.3% in February, remaining well below the national rate of 4.4%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

State officials report Indiana’s labor force participation rate stands at 63.4%, higher than the national average of 62%. That translates to nearly 3.5 million Hoosiers either working or actively seeking employment.

Private sector employment in Indiana rose by 3,400 jobs in February, bringing the total to more than 2.8 million. Gains were led by the private educational and health services sector, which added 2,800 jobs, followed by manufacturing with 2,400 new positions. Smaller increases were seen in leisure and hospitality, financial activities, and other industries.

Local Numbers in Michiana

In Elkhart County, the unemployment rate increased to 3.6% in February, up from 2.9% in January, but down from 4.3% a year ago. The Elkhart-Goshen area reported a labor force of 99,050, with 95,481 employed and 3,569 unemployed.

Meanwhile, St. Joseph County saw its unemployment rate rise to 4.1% in February, compared to 3.4% the previous month. That’s still an improvement from 4.7% in February of last year. The South Bend-Mishawaka area reported a labor force of 129,660, with 124,338 employed and 5,322 unemployed.

Despite month-to-month increases locally, both counties continue to show improvement compared to this time last year.