(INDIANAPOLIS) – The March unemployment rate was down from February in the State of Indiana.

According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the March rate of unemployment was 3.3 percent, down from an even 4 percent in February. The 3.3 percent mark is lower than all the Midwest states for March, except for Wisconsin which was at 3.2 percent.

Indiana's March unemployment rate was also below the National rate in March of 4.4 percent.

Indiana's labor force had a net decrease of 5,895 over the month. This was a result of a decrease of 3,644 unemployed residents and a decrease of 2,251 employed residents.

Indiana's total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.3 million.

Private sector employment has decreased by 84,600 over the year and decreased by 100 over the previous month. The monthly decrease is primarily due to losses in the Professional and Business Services (-3,700) and the Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-3,000) sectors. Losses were offset by gains in the Construction (3,300) and the Leisure and Hospitality (3,100) sectors.

Total private employment stands at 2,626,200, which is 114,300 below the new December 2019 peak.