Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates decreased in 17 of Michigan’s 18 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Michigan regional labor markets demonstrated typical unemployment rate declines during September,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Seasonal hiring for the start of the school semester contributed to regional payroll job gains over the month.”
Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 3.7 to 5.7 percent in September, with a median rate reduction of 1.1 percentage points. The largest rate decrease occurred in the Monroe metropolitan statistical area (MSA), with an unemployment rate decline of 1.6 percentage points. The Detroit MSA was the only region to demonstrate a jobless rate gain over the month (+0.5 percentage points).
Eleven Michigan labor market areas exhibited unemployment rate declines over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.2 percentage points. Four regions demonstrated jobless rate gains over the year, and unemployment rates in the Ann Arbor, Bay City, and Kalamazoo MSAs remained unchanged since September 2024.
Total employment rose in 14 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.3 percent. Employment fell in the Northwest Lower Michigan region and the Detroit and Traverse City MSAs and remained unchanged in the Northeast Lower Michigan region.
Fifteen Michigan regions displayed employment reductions over the year, with a median decrease of 1.0 percent. Employment rose in the Upper Peninsula, Northeast Lower Michigan region, and the Lansing metro area since September 2024.
Seventy-seven Michigan counties displayed unemployment rate declines over the month, with a median rate reduction of 1.1 percentage points. Jobless rates fell in 63 Michigan counties over the year.
Michigan counties ranked by unemployment rate – September 2025
(Rank among the state’s 83 counties)
1 Mackinac County 3.0
11 Dickinson County 3.9
14 Menominee County 3.9
21 Houghton County 4.2
23 Marquette County 4.2
30 Keweenaw County 4.3
40 Delta County 4.6
48 Chippewa County 4.7
53 Gogebic County 5.0
61 Schoolcraft County 5.2
62 Alger County 5.3
63 Baraga County 5.3
74 Iron County 5.9
76 Luce County 5.9
77 Ontonagon County 5.9
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