Adult Unemployment Rate
Why we track this indicator
High unemployment rates contribute to increased levels of economic and parenting stress, leading to social and environmental disorder. These contributing factors result in increased risk for children and families to experience ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences).
Adult Unemployment Rate Data Breakdown
Status: Gray
Definition: Unemployment rate is the total number of current unemployment claims on Indiana Department of Workforce Development's Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) database, and is not seasonally adjusted. This information is obtained through publicly available data.
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development (Hoosiers by the Numbers)
Last Updated: September 2024
Mitigating Factors: None Reported
Methodology
Methodology: Adult Unemployment trend is calculated by using the average local unemployment rate compared to the state average unemployment rate. Trends are derived by analyzing the resulting differences between local and state rates. No seasonal effects were considered for this indicator.
Goal: The goal is to be lower than the state average unemployment rate.
Traffic Light:
Green: at least 1% lower compared to Indiana
Gray: within +/- 1% of Indiana
Red: at least 1% higher than Indiana
Supporting Research
Elkhart/Goshen unemployment rate lowest in nation
According to Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson, the Elkhart/Goshen metropolitan statistical area has reached a national economic milestone.
Unemployment
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention categorizes unemployment rate as a risk factor for children and families.
Long term effects of unemployment on children
New studies have begun to focus on the long-term effects on children whose parents have suffered from extended periods of unemployment. Researchers have found that this can lead to poor academic performance, behavior issues and effects that may last for the rest of the child's life.
Unemployment and family arrangements
The Urban Institute found a positive relationship between a parent’s job loss and destabilizing changes in family arrangements.
Job loss affect on children
Purdue University suggests job loss does not only affects family income. Job loss impacts family stability and child development. Long-term job loss also makes it much harder for people to re-enter the job market.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to Adult Unemployment Rate
Public Data
This data comes from a public source. The information pertaining to employment is found through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Education information (if not otherwise acknowledged) is found through the Indiana Department of Education.
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.