Michigan regional jobless rates advance during May

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates rose in 13 Michigan labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

“Michigan’s regional labor market jobless rate gains were primarily due to workforce increases across multiple regions,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Payroll employment advanced in most metro areas during May.”  

Regional jobless rates ranged from 3.4 to 5.9 percent. Unemployment rate increases ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 percentage points, with a median advance of three-tenths of a percentage point. Four regions demonstrated jobless rate declines between April and May. Seasonal rate decreases occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region, the Upper Peninsula, and the Northwest Lower Michigan region. A minor jobless rate reduction was recorded in the Bay City metropolitan statistical area (MSA).

Unemployment rates receded in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median decrease of 1.7 percentage points. The largest over-the-year jobless rate decrease was seen in the Muskegon MSA (-2.9 percentage points).  

—Regional employment up over month and year

Fifteen Michigan regions demonstrated employment increases between April and May, with a median advance of 1.7 percent. The largest over-the-month employment hikes occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan (+7.5 percent) and Northwest Lower Michigan (+6.8 percent) regions.  

Employment advanced in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median increase of 4.7 percent. The Ann Arbor MSA exhibited the most pronounced employment increase since May 2021 (+6.4 percent).

—Regional labor force levels up over month and year

Michigan regional workforce levels advanced in 15 areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.7 percent. The most pronounced labor force hikes occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+6.2 percent) and the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+5.8 percent).

All 17 Michigan labor market areas exhibited labor force advances over the year, with a median increase of 2.8 percent.   

—Nonfarm payroll job gains occur in most regions during May

The monthly survey of employers indicated that Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll employment increased by 30,000 over the month, or 0.7 percent, resulting in a total nonfarm job count of 4,336,000 in May.

Employment gains occurred in most statewide industries, led by the leisure and hospitality sector (+21,000).

Payroll jobs advanced in 10 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.9 percent. The largest over-the-month employment increase occurred in the Niles-Benton Harbor region (+1.2 percent). Total nonfarm jobs decreased in the Ann Arbor, Saginaw, and Kalamazoo MSAs and remained unchanged in the Lansing metro area since April 2022.

Michigan payroll employment rose by 154,000 over the year, or 3.7 percent. All 14 metro areas demonstrated nonfarm job gains over the year as well, with a median employment increase of 2.8 percent.  

—County unemployment rates mixed over month, decline over year

Forty-five Michigan counties displayed jobless rate declines between April and May, with the most pronounced rate decrease occurring in Mackinac County (-8.8 percentage points). Jobless rates receded in all 83 counties over the year.