Coming off the heels of being named the No. 1 metro area for job growth in 2011, Columbus, Ind., remains at the top with the largest over-the-year percentage gain in employment nationwide.
The Columbus area added jobs at a rate of 11.7% between April 2011 and April of this year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Lafayette, La., followed Columbus at 10.3% – the only two metropolitan areas to record growth above 10%.
In April, 246 metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 115 had decreases and 11 reported no change.
Earlier this year, the Christian Science Monitor reported on the top 10 job-growth metros in 2011. Topping the list was Columbus, which had seen a 6.4% spike in job creation.
The article says the secret to Columbus’ success is in manufacturing, which accounts for a third of the metro’s jobs. The metro area is home to Master Power Transmission, Cummins Inc., Honda Motor Co. and many others that are able to compete both domestically and internationally.
