(INDIANAPOLIS) - New January unemployment figures from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development show Steuben, DeKalb and LaGrange counties all posted jobless rates below both the state and national averages, continuing the strong labor picture across northeast Indiana.
Here's how the three counties compared in January:
- LaGrange County: 2.4%, tied for 90th lowest unemployment in Indiana
- DeKalb County: 2.8%, ranked 73rd
- Steuben County: 3.1%, ranked 50th
All three counties also came in below the Indiana county average of 3.3 percent.
For broader comparison:
- Indiana statewide (seasonally adjusted): 3.4%
- United States: 4.3%
The numbers continue to highlight the relative strength of northeast Indiana's labor corridor, where manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, education and healthcare remain major employment drivers.
Statewide, Indiana's labor market remained stable to start 2026, with county rankings, labor force tables and detailed employment reports all pointing to continued workforce resilience despite concerns over inflation, housing costs and utility bills.
For the local area, the January report reinforces that LaGrange, DeKalb and Steuben counties remain among Indiana's stronger labor markets, with LaGrange posting one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state.