DELEG - September Unemployment Rates Decline in Michigan's Regional Labor Markets, the largest drop in Detroit Area

October 27, 2005 – September seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates moved downward in 14 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Of the regions registering jobless rate decreases in September, the Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded a relatively significant drop, with that area’s rate falling by 0.7 of a percentage point.

"The unemployment rate went down or held steady in most areas of Michigan in September," said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "In most regions, increases in both state and local government education employment were offset by labor force withdrawal among youth and a decline in summer and tourism-related employment."

From August to September, regional jobless rates showed little change. In 12 areas, unemployment rates were either unchanged or registered declines of 0.1 or 0.2 of a percentage point. Employment and labor force levels declined seasonally in the majority of areas over the previous month.

Nearly All Regions Report Jobless Rate Declines Since September 2004
Since September 2004, 15 of the state’s major labor market areas recorded unemployment rate decreases. Declines ranged from 0.2 of a percentage point to a full percentage point. The largest declines occurred in the Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, Muskegon-Norton Shores, Detroit-Warren-Livonia and Bay City MSAs.

Jobless rates remained unchanged over the year in the Lansing-East Lansing and Monroe MSAs.

Total Employment Down Over Month, Up Over Year
From September 2004 to September 2005, total employment levels increased in all 17 of the state’s major labor market areas. The average increase was around one and a half percent, with some regions reporting relatively strong growth well above the average. The most prevalent over-the-year gains were recorded in the Ann Arbor and Lansing-East Lansing MSAs as well as the Northeast Lower Michigan Region.

Over the month, 11 major regions registered seasonal late summer declines in employment. The average September decrease in employment in the various areas was a minor 0.4 percent. The largest percentage decline took place in the Northwest Lower Michigan Region with the winding down of the summer tourism season.

From August to September, total employment increased in six regions. Gains in some of these areas, particularly in the Lansing-East Lansing and Ann Arbor MSAs, reflected the beginning of fall semester at various universities and colleges.

Labor Force Levels Down Seasonally Over Month, Up Over Year
Over the month, labor force levels decreased in 12 regions, increased in four, and one region’s labor force was essentially unchanged.

Over the year, labor force levels increased in 15 regions, with a median advance near one percent. Labor force levels decreased slightly in the Bay City and Niles-Benton Harbor MSAs since September 2004.

Seasonal Payroll Employment Gains in Education
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan rose in September by 68,000 to total 4,391,000. Job gains occurred primarily in local government education (+69,000) and state government education (+16,000) with the return of students to colleges, universities, and local schools. The increase in local government education was evident statewide, while the largest share of growth in state education took place in the Lansing-East Lansing, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo-Portage MSAs.

Private-sector payroll jobs declined statewide in September by 16,000 or 0.4 percent. Within the private sector, mostly seasonal-related reductions were recorded in leisure and hospitality services (-14,000), trade, transportation and utilities (-8,000) and construction (-4,000). Somewhat offsetting these decreases in private-sector employment were increases in both manufacturing (+8,000) and education and health services (+8,000).

The boost in manufacturing employment was due primarily to recalls from short-term layoffs in auto-related manufacturing. For the most part, these recalls to work were recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA, and to a lesser extent in the Flint MSA.

The increase in education and health services occurred because of seasonal gains in the sector’s private education component.

From September 2004 to September 2005, the majority of metropolitan areas in Michigan recorded varying degrees of payroll employment decline. The exceptions were the Ann Arbor, Lansing-East Lansing and Kalamazoo-Portage MSAs, with these areas displaying moderate growth in payroll jobs since September 2004. Payroll employment was essentially unchanged in the Jackson MSA over the year.

A drop in manufacturing employment was largely responsible for statewide payroll job decreases since September 2004. Most metropolitan areas recorded employment declines in manufacturing over the year.

County Jobless Rates Down Over Month, Year
Fifty-two of Michigan’s 83 counties recorded minor seasonal unemployment rate decreases in September. Sixteen counties registered mostly marginal rate hikes over the month, while the rates in 15 counties were unchanged. Most rate changes over the month were small, with 75 counties’ rates changing by a half percentage point or less.

From September 2004 to September 2005, unemployment rates declined in 71 of the state’s counties. Declines averaged 0.7 of a percentage point for these counties. Jobless rates increased slightly in nine counties since September 2004, and were unchanged in three.

A breakdown of seasonally unadjusted September workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for September.

Note to Editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.”

The Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
ANN ARBOR MSA				month	year
(Washtenaw County)
Civilian Labor Force	187,200	190,300	192,600	1.2%	2.9%
Total Employment	179,400	182,600	184,900	1.3%	3.1%
Unemployment	7,800	7,700	7,700	0.0%	-1.3%
Rate (percent)	4.2	4.1	4.0

Contact: Mark Reffitt, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 492-5550

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
BATTLE CREEK MSA				month	year
(Calhoun County)
Civilian Labor Force	72,800	73,300	73,200	-0.1%	0.5%
Total Employment	68,300	69,000	68,900	-0.1%	0.9%
Unemployment	4,500	4,300	4,300	0.0%	-4.4%
Rate (percent)	6.1	5.9	5.9

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
BAY CITY MSA				month	year
(Bay County)
Civilian Labor Force	56,600	56,500	56,300	-0.4%	-0.5%
Total Employment	52,800	53,200	53,100	-0.2%	0.6%
Unemployment	3,800	3,400	3,300	-2.9%	-13.2%
Rate (percent)	6.7	6.0	5.8

Contact: Jason Palmer, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
DETROIT-WARREN-LIVONIA MSA				month	year
(Data in thousands)
(Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer,
Livingston, St. Clair counties)
Civilian Labor Force	2,208	2,247	2,222	-1.1%	0.6%
Total Employment	2,049	2,089	2,081	-0.4%	1.6%
Unemployment	159	158	141	-10.8%	-11.3%
Rate (percent)	7.2	7.0	6.3

Contact: Jim Rhein, DLEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
FLINT MSA				month	year
(Genesee County)
Civilian Labor Force	211,300	210,200	212,600	1.1%	0.6%
Total Employment	195,700	194,800	198,000	1.6%	1.2%
Unemployment	15,600	15,400	14,600	-5.2%	-6.4%
Rate (percent)	7.4	7.3	6.9

Contact: Jason Palmer, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508
	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA				month	year
(Barry, Ionia, Kent, Newaygo counties)
Civilian Labor Force	396,700	403,400	399,500	-1.0%	0.7%
Total Employment	372,200	381,300	377,900	-0.9%	1.5%
Unemployment	24,500	22,100	21,600	-2.3%	-11.8%
Rate (percent)	6.2	5.5	5.4

Contact: Brian Waters, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
HOLLAND - GRAND HAVEN MSA				month	year
(Ottawa County)
Civilian Labor Force	133,500	134,000	133,700	-0.2%	0.1%
Total Employment	126,900	127,900	127,800	-0.1%	0.7%
Unemployment	6,600	6,100	6,000	-1.6%	-9.1%
Rate (percent)	4.9	4.5	4.5

Contact: Brian Waters, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
JACKSON MSA				month	year
(Jackson County)
Civilian Labor Force	78,600	79,900	79,800	-0.1%	1.5%
Total Employment	73,400	74,900	75,100	0.3%	2.3%
Unemployment	5,200	5,000	4,800	-4.0%	-7.7%
Rate (percent)	6.6	6.2	6.0

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
KALAMAZOO - PORTAGE MSA				month	year
(Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties)
Civilian Labor Force	171,700	173,900	174,400	0.3%	1.6%
Total Employment	162,100	165,200	165,900	0.4%	2.3%
Unemployment	9,600	8,700	8,500	-2.3%	-11.5%
Rate (percent)	5.6	5.0	4.9

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
LANSING - EAST LANSING MSA				month	year
(Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties)
Civilian Labor Force	249,300	250,500	257,900	3.0%	3.4%
Total Employment	235,900	236,700	243,900	3.0%	3.4%
Unemployment	13,400	13,800	14,000	1.4%	4.5%
Rate (percent)	5.4	5.5	5.4

Contact: Mark Reffitt, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 492-5550

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
MONROE MSA				month	year
(Monroe County)
Civilian Labor Force	77,300	78,200	78,200	0.0%	1.2%
Total Employment	72,900	73,500	73,900	0.5%	1.4%
Unemployment	4,400	4,700	4,300	-8.5%	-2.3%
Rate (percent)	5.6	6.0	5.6

Contact: Jim Rhein, DLEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
MUSKEGON - NORTON SHORES MSA				month	year
(Muskegon County)
Civilian Labor Force	89,000	90,800	89,300	-1.7%	0.3%
Total Employment	82,900	85,200	83,900	-1.5%	1.2%
Unemployment	6,100	5,600	5,400	-3.6%	-11.5%
Rate (percent)	6.9	6.2	6.0

Contact: Brian Waters, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
NILES - BENTON HARBOR MSA				month	year
(Berrien County)
Civilian Labor Force	78,400	78,400	78,100	-0.4%	-0.4%
Total Employment	73,000	73,400	73,300	-0.1%	0.4%
Unemployment	5,400	5,000	4,800	-4.0%	-11.1%
Rate (percent)	6.9	6.4	6.1

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
SAGINAW-Saginaw Township North MSA				month	year
(Saginaw County)
Civilian Labor Force	99,700	100,600	100,000	-0.6%	0.3%
Total Employment	91,900	93,700	93,200	-0.5%	1.4%
Unemployment	7,800	6,900	6,800	-1.4%	-12.8%
Rate (percent)	7.8	6.9	6.8

Contact: Jason Palmer, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
UPPER PENINSULA LMA				month	year
(15 counties)
Civilian Labor Force	161,300	164,800	163,900	-0.5%	1.6%
Total Employment	152,400	155,900	155,600	-0.2%	2.1%
Unemployment	8,900	8,900	8,400	-5.6%	-5.6%
Rate (percent)	5.5	5.4	5.1

Contact: Kathy Salow, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (906) 226-3669

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN				month	year
(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford,
Iosco, Montmorency,Ogemaw, Oscoda,
Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties)
Civilian Labor Force	100,300	103,500	102,600	-0.9%	2.3%
Total Employment	93,800	97,400	96,600	-0.8%	3.0%
Unemployment	6,500	6,200	6,000	-3.2%	-7.7%
Rate (percent)	6.5	6.0	5.8

Contact: Jim Rhein, DLEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN				month	year
(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie,
Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau,
Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties)
Civilian Labor Force	159,400	168,100	162,200	-3.5%	1.8%
Total Employment	150,300	159,500	153,900	-3.5%	2.4%
Unemployment	9,100	8,600	8,300	-3.5%	-8.8%
Rate (percent)	5.7	5.1	5.1

Contact: Jim Rhein, DLEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Sep-04	Aug-05	Sep-05	% change	% change
MICHIGAN (Data in thousands)				month	year
Civilian Labor Force	5,069	5,149	5,119	-0.6%	1.0%
Total Employment	4,736	4,825	4,817	-0.2%	1.7%
Unemployment	333	324	302	-6.8%	-9.3%
Rate (percent)	6.6	6.3	5.9

Contact: Jim Rhein, DLEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SEPTEMBER 2005

1	Mackinac County	3.2	43	Benzie County	5.8
2	Leelanau County	3.9	44	Roscommon County	5.8
3	Isabella County	3.9	45	Osceola County	5.8
4	Washtenaw County	4.0	46	Bay County	5.8
5	Cass County	4.2	47	Newaygo County	5.8
6	Cheboygan County	4.3	48	Mason County	5.8
7	Barry County	4.4	49	Calhoun County	5.9
8	Marquette County	4.4	50	Keweenaw County	5.9
9	Dickinson County	4.5	51	Mecosta County	5.9
10	Ottawa County	4.5	52	Lenawee County	6.0
11	Menominee County	4.6	53	Muskegon County	6.0
12	Kalamazoo County	4.7	54	Chippewa County	6.0
13	Houghton County	4.7	55	Jackson County	6.0
14	Livingston County	4.7	56	Berrien County	6.1
15	Grand Traverse County	4.7	57	Wexford County	6.1
16	Clinton County	4.9	58	Presque Isle County	6.2
17	Emmet County	5.0	59	Oceana County	6.2
18	Oakland County	5.0	60	St. Clair County	6.3
19	Eaton County	5.0	61	Manistee County	6.3
20	Midland County	5.1	62	Gogebic County	6.4
21	Iron County	5.2	63	Hillsdale County	6.4
22	Missaukee County	5.2	64	Tuscola County	6.5
23	Kent County	5.3	65	Branch County	6.5
24	Charlevoix County	5.3	66	Arenac County	6.6
25	Antrim County	5.3	67	Sanilac County	6.6
26	Ogemaw County	5.3	68	Iosco County	6.6
27	Delta County	5.3	69	Ionia County	6.7
28	Crawford County	5.3	70	Shiawassee County	6.8
29	Ontonagon County	5.4	71	Saginaw County	6.8
30	Kalkaska County	5.4	72	Genesee County	6.9
31	Van Buren County	5.5	73	Gratiot County	7.0
32	Allegan County	5.5	74	Clare County	7.3
33	Otsego County	5.5	75	Schoolcraft County	7.4
34	Huron County	5.6	76	Lake County	7.5
35	St. Joseph County	5.6	77	Montmorency County	7.5
36	Alpena County	5.6	78	Gladwin County	7.8
37	Monroe County	5.6	79	Wayne County	7.8
38	Alger County	5.7	80	Montcalm County	7.9
39	Ingham County	5.7	81	Oscoda County	8.1
40	Macomb County	5.7	82	Alcona County	8.4
41	Lapeer County	5.7	83	Baraga County	8.7
42	Luce County	5.7

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