Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates fell in 13 Michigan labor market areas between March and April, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Michigan’s regional labor markets were stable in April,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Payroll jobs rose throughout most regions as seasonal industries, such as construction and leisure and hospitality, added jobs during April.”
In the Upper Peninsula, the jobless rate went up slightly, from 5.7% in March to 5.8% in April. That’s still an improvement over jobless rates in April, 2021, when they registered 6.7% as the state continued to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic. There’s an estimated 7,600 unemployed people in the U.P. as of April, up from 7,500 in March but down from 8,600 in April, 2021.
The lowest U.P. unemployment in April was in Menominee County, followed by Dickinson County at 4.2% and Marquette County at 4.8%. The highest was in Mackinac County at 13.7% (also highest in all of Michigan). The second-highest U.P. jobless rate was in Alger County in April at 9%. Baraga County checked in at 8.7% and Schoolcraft County was 8.5%.
Regional unemployment rates ranged from 3.0 to 7.4 percent. Unemployment rate declines ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 percentage points, with a median reduction of two-tenths of a percentage point. Jobless rates edged up in the Lansing metropolitan statistical area (MSA), as well as the Upper Peninsula. Unemployment rates remained unchanged in both the Muskegon and Saginaw MSAs over the month.
Unemployment rates fell in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median decrease of 1.8 percentage points. The Monroe metro area exhibited the most pronounced over-the-year decline (-2.7 percentage points).
Regional employment down over month, up over year
Thirteen Michigan regions displayed employment declines over the month, with a median decrease of 0.3 percent. The largest over-the-month employment decline occurred in the Detroit MSA (-1.3 percent), in part due to layoff activity in the region’s auto industry during April. Employment edged up over the month in the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions, as well as the Bay City and Midland MSAs.
Employment rose in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median increase of 3.8 percent. The most pronounced over-the-year employment increase occurred in the Ann Arbor region (+5.9 percent).
Regional workforce levels down over month, up over year
Labor force levels decreased in 12 Michigan regions over the month, with a median reduction of 0.4 percent. The largest workforce decrease occurred in the Detroit metro area (-1.7 percent). Labor force advances occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan, Bay City, Lansing, and Northwest Lower Michigan regions. Midland’s labor force remained unchanged since March.
All 17 Michigan regions demonstrated workforce advances over the year, with a median increase of 1.8 percent.
Metro area nonfarm jobs increase over month and year
Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll employment advanced by 18,000, or 0.4 percent, over the month, resulting in a total nonfarm job count of 4,302,000 during April. Employment gains occurred in most broad industries, led on a numerical basis by construction (+6,000), education and health services (+4,000), and leisure and hospitality (+3,000). The state’s manufacturing sector was the only major industry to display a decrease in jobs since March (-2,000).
Total nonfarm jobs rose in 11 Michigan metro areas over the month. Regional job gains were minor, with a median advance of 0.4 percent.
Payroll employment in Michigan advanced by 171,000 over the year, or 4.1 percent. Nonfarm jobs advanced in all 14 metro areas as well, with a median increase of 3.3 percent.
County unemployment rates decrease over month and year
Fifty-nine Michigan counties exhibited jobless rate declines over the month. Unemployment rates rose in 17 counties and remained unchanged in seven counties since March. Jobless rates fell in 81 counties over the year.
For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.
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