Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates rose in all 18 Michigan labor market areas during January, according to data released last Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Michigan regional labor markets exhibited seasonal unemployment rate increases between December and January” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Regional payroll jobs decreased over the month.”
Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 4.3 to 9.2 percent in January, with a median rate increase of 0.8 percentage points. The largest rate gain occurred in the Flint metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
Ten Michigan labor market areas demonstrated unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.4 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate decline occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. Five Michigan regions exhibited unemployment rate gains over the year, and the jobless rates remained unchanged in the Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids MSAs since January 2025.
—Total employment down over month and year
Total employment receded in all 18 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.6 percent. The most pronounced over-the-month employment decline occurred in both the Flint and Lansing MSAs (-2.3 percent).
Sixteen Michigan regions exhibited employment reductions over the year, with a median decline of -3.6 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland metro area (-6.3 percent).
—Regional labor force totals up over month, down over year
Regional workforce levels rose in 13 Michigan labor market areas in January, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The largest labor force gain occurred in the Flint MSA (+1.0 percent).
Regional workforce levels fell in all 18 regions over the year, with a median decrease of 3.5 percent. The largest over-the-year labor force reduction occurred in the Midland metro area (-6.2 percent).
—Regional nonfarm employment down during January
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs were reduced by 83,000, or 1.9 percent, between December and January. Industries with the largest over-the-month employment decreases included trade, transportation, and utilities (-23,000) and government (-14,000).
Nonfarm employment receded in all 15 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median decrease of 1.9 percent. The largest over-the-month decline in payroll jobs occurred in the Flint MSA (-4.4 percent).
Michigan total nonfarm employment edged up by 2,000, or 0.0 percent, over the year. Seven metro areas displayed payroll job increases over the year, seven areas exhibited nonfarm job declines, and payroll employment remained unchanged in the Jackson MSA since January 2025.
—County unemployment rates up over month, down over year
Eighty-two Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate increases during January, with a median rate gain of 0.9 percentage points. Unemployment rates fell in 59 Michigan counties over the year.
“Michigan regional labor markets exhibited seasonal unemployment rate increases between December and January” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Regional payroll jobs decreased over the month.”
Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 4.3 to 9.2 percent in January, with a median rate increase of 0.8 percentage points. The largest rate gain occurred in the Flint metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
Ten Michigan labor market areas demonstrated unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.4 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate decline occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. Five Michigan regions exhibited unemployment rate gains over the year, and the jobless rates remained unchanged in the Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids MSAs since January 2025.
—Total employment down over month and year
Total employment receded in all 18 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.6 percent. The most pronounced over-the-month employment decline occurred in both the Flint and Lansing MSAs (-2.3 percent).
Sixteen Michigan regions exhibited employment reductions over the year, with a median decline of -3.6 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland metro area (-6.3 percent).
—Regional labor force totals up over month, down over year
Regional workforce levels rose in 13 Michigan labor market areas in January, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The largest labor force gain occurred in the Flint MSA (+1.0 percent).
Regional workforce levels fell in all 18 regions over the year, with a median decrease of 3.5 percent. The largest over-the-year labor force reduction occurred in the Midland metro area (-6.2 percent).
—Regional nonfarm employment down during January
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs were reduced by 83,000, or 1.9 percent, between December and January. Industries with the largest over-the-month employment decreases included trade, transportation, and utilities (-23,000) and government (-14,000).
Nonfarm employment receded in all 15 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median decrease of 1.9 percent. The largest over-the-month decline in payroll jobs occurred in the Flint MSA (-4.4 percent).
Michigan total nonfarm employment edged up by 2,000, or 0.0 percent, over the year. Seven metro areas displayed payroll job increases over the year, seven areas exhibited nonfarm job declines, and payroll employment remained unchanged in the Jackson MSA since January 2025.
—County unemployment rates up over month, down over year
Eighty-two Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate increases during January, with a median rate gain of 0.9 percentage points. Unemployment rates fell in 59 Michigan counties over the year.
