ANDERSON, Ind. — For the first time in a year, Indiana’s unemployment rate has dropped below the national average and Madison County’s rate continues to fall.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development recently released unemployment data for September and found that the seasonally adjusted rate for Indiana fell to 9.6 percent.

With the national average at 9.8 percent, Indiana had less new unemployment filings for the first time since October 2008.

The rate also fell .3 percent from the prior month, largely attributed to the growth of 4,400 jobs throughout the state.

Madison County saw a huge drop in unemployment numbers as summer came to a close.

At 9.7 percent, September’s unemployment numbers had a marked improvement over August, when the rate was 10.4 percent and July, with a rate of 11.3 percent.

In September, Madison County’s work force of 59,977 saw 54,155 workers employed.

About 5,822 workers remained jobless.

Madison County’s highest 2009 unemployment rate came in June at 11.4 percent.

The improved unemployment rates are a far cry from those registered before the recession.

In September 2008, the unemployment rate in the Hoosier state was just 6.1 percent.

The United States Department of Labor said Indiana’s 4,400-job gain in September marked the largest month-over-month increase in the county, followed by New Mexico with 3,700 new jobs.

Since the start of 2009, Madison County has been unable to achieve lower unemployment rates than state or national averages.

Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com