Michigan regional unemployment rates fall seasonally in August

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates declined in 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month, according to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

“Michigan regions demonstrated typical seasonal jobless rate reductions in August,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.

“Employment levels continued to display positive growth trends over the year.”

Regional unemployment rates in the state ranged from 3.4 to 6.1 percent during August, with a median reduction of 0.5 percentage points. The largest over-the-month rate decrease occurred in the Lansing metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The Detroit metro area was the only region to exhibit no change in jobless rate over the month.

Unemployment rates receded in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median reduction of 1.1 percentage points.

—Regional employment mixed over month, up over year

Nine Michigan regions exhibited employment gains over the month, with a median increase of 0.3 percent. The Lansing MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-month employment gain (+1.1 percent).

Four labor market areas displayed employment reductions over the month, led by the Northwest Lower Michigan region (-1.1 percent). The Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Midland, and Muskegon metro area employment totals remained unchanged since July.  

All 17 Michigan labor market areas displayed employment advances over the year, with a median increase of 3.6 percent. The largest over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Flint MSA.  

—Regional workforce levels down over month, up over year

Labor force decreases occurred in 14 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median reduction of 0.5 percent. The most pronounced workforce decrease occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (-1.3 percent). Minor labor force gains occurred in the Detroit metro region and the Upper Peninsula, and Lansing MSA’s workforce remained unchanged over the month.  

Sixteen Michigan labor market areas exhibited labor force advances over the year, with a median increase of 2.3 percent.   

—Regional nonfarm job trends mixed in August

The monthly survey of employers indicated that Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll employment edged up by 9,000, or 0.2 percent, over the month, resulting in an August payroll job total of 4,367,000. Increases in statewide industries such as manufacturing (+7,000) and government (+7,000) were partially offset by declines in sectors like professional and business services (-3,000) and leisure and hospitality (-2,000).

Six Michigan metro areas exhibited job advances over the month, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The largest over-the-month nonfarm employment increase occurred in the Lansing MSA (+1.4 percent). Payroll jobs fell in four metro areas, led by the Monroe MSA (-0.5 percent). Nonfarm employment was unchanged over the month in the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Muskegon, and Saginaw metro areas.

Michigan total payroll jobs increased by 139,000 over the year, or 3.3 percent. All 14 metro areas displayed employment advances since August 2021, with a median increase of 1.7 percent.

—County unemployment rates decrease over month and year

Seventy-seven Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate reductions between July and August. Jobless rates decreased in 78 counties since August 2021.