Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN market rose by 189 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN unemployment rate is 225 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 920 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in April versus prior month by -0.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Unemployment April 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.3%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 26,700; -400
  • Manufacturing: 19,100; -100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 14,700; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,500; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 9,600; no change
  • Business Services: 7,000; -200
  • Other Jobs: 4,200; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 3,700; +100
  • Financial Services: 3,100; no change
  • IT & Development: 600; no change
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.