(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana’s unemployment hit a two-year low in January.

The Department of Workforce Development said in its monthly jobless report Thursday the rate was at 9.1 percent, an improvement of 0.4 percent from December 2010.

Helping the job growth were 10,600 new private sector jobs during the month.

"Indiana's private sector job growth has outpaced the nation's 2 to 1 since the low point of employment in October 2009," said Mark W. Everson, Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. "2011 is off to a good start with strong employment gains. We've seen increases in almost all areas of employment."

Sectors seeing the biggest gains were construction with 5,000 new jobs; trade, transportation and utilities at 4,500; manufacturing at 3,100; and financial activities at 1,500.

The professional and business services sector took the most significant hit with 3,700 lost jobs in January.

Southeast Indiana’s unemployment was higher than the statewide rate.

The region’s highest unemployment was in Franklin County at 11.8 percent Switzerland County claimed the lowest at 7.2.

SOUTHEAST INDIANA LABOR FORCE ESITMATES FOR JANUARY 2011

Data Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development

LINKS:

Indiana Department of Workforce Development January Employment Report - http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/67824.htm