Michigan regional jobless rates decrease in August

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates declined in 16 of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month, according to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

“Michigan regional labor markets displayed typical seasonal rate declines in August,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Employment and workforce levels rose in most regions over the year.”

Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 3.6 to 5.4 percent in August, with a median rate decrease of 0.2 percentage points over the month. The Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was the only Michigan labor market to exhibit an unemployment rate increase between July and August (+0.2 percentage points).

Fifteen Michigan regions demonstrated jobless rate reductions over the year, with a median rate reduction of 0.4 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate decrease occurred in the Lansing MSA (-0.8 percentage points).

—Regional employment levels up over month and year

Total employment rose in 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.0 percent. The most pronounced over-the-month employment increase was seen in the Upper Peninsula (+1.5 percent). The Northwest Lower Michigan region was the only labor market area to exhibit an employment decrease over the month (-0.6 percent).
Employment advanced in all 17 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 3.7 percent. The largest over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Ann Arbor MSA (+6.3 percent).

—Regional workforce levels up over month and year

Labor force levels increased in 15 Michigan regions over the month, with a median advance of 0.7 percent. The Northwest Lower Michigan region was the only area to demonstrate a workforce decline over the month, and the Monroe MSA labor force remained unchanged since July 2023.

All 17 Michigan regions displayed labor force hikes over the year, with a median increase of 3.4 percent. The Ann Arbor MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-year workforce gain of 6.2 percent.

—Regional payroll employment advances in August

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs edged up by 13,000, or 0.3 percent, over the month, resulting in a nonfarm employment total of 4,449,000 in August. Employment increases primarily in government (+12,000) and manufacturing (+5,000) were partially offset by payroll job declines in trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,000), and professional and business services (-3,000).

Eight Michigan metro areas demonstrated employment gains over the month, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. Nonfarm employment fell in the Monroe, Detroit, and Lansing MSAs, and remained unchanged in the Midland, Muskegon, and Niles-Benton Harbor metro areas.

Michigan total payroll jobs rose by 60,000, or 1.4 percent, over the year. Twelve metro areas exhibited employment increases over the year, with a median increase of 0.9 percent.  

—County unemployment rates down over month and year

Seventy-six Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate declines between July and August. Jobless rates fell in 68 counties over the year.