Browsers that can not handle javascript will not be able to access some features of this site.
Skip Navigation
LARA: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsMichigan.gov: Official Web Site for the State of Michigan
Michigan.gov HomeLARA Home | Sitemap | Contacts | Agencies | Online Services
Printer Friendly Version Printer Friendly   Text Only Version Text Version  Share this page.
December Jobless Rates Increase Seasonally in Most of Michigan's Regional Labor Markets
Annual Unemployment Rates Rose Sharply in 2009

Contact:  Mario L. Morrow (517) 373-9280
Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs


January 28, 2010 Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose in 16 of Michigan's 17 major labor market areas in December, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.  Total employment declined seasonally in all major regions over the month, while nearly all areas reported reduced labor force levels in December.

"Regional labor markets in December generally followed typical seasonal patterns" said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "However, 2009 as a whole was anything but typical.  Michigan not only faced the impact of the second year of a severe national recession, but also had to contend with the fallout from major restructuring within the auto industry.  These two events caused regional unemployment rates to rise dramatically in 2009."

From November to December, jobless rate increases in the 16 regions ranged from 0.2 to 2.0 percentage points with a median advance of 0.7 of a percentage point.  Unemployment rates in the three northernmost regions recorded significant seasonal hikes of at least 1.4 percentage points, while southern areas posted more moderate increases of a full percentage point or less.  The unemployment rate in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) fell by 0.5 percentage points in December.

From December 2008 to December 2009, all regions recorded substantial jobless rate advances ranging from 2.1 to 4.6 percentage points.  The median increase in this period for all regions was 3.8 percentage points.

Annual Average Unemployment Rates Up Significantly in All Regions
Preliminary annual average data indicate that jobless rates rose sharply from 2008 to 2009 in all of Michigan's major labor market areas.  Annual unemployment rate hikes ranged from 2.9 to 6.7 percentage points with an average jump in 2009 of nearly five full percentage points above rates posted in 2008.  In 2009, 16 of the state's 17 major regions recorded annual rates above 10.0 percent. 

Total Employment Down Over Month, Year
Over the month, total employment declined seasonally in all 17 regions with a median decrease of 1.5 percent.  The largest December drops were shown in Northeast Lower Michigan (-2.5%) and in the Upper Peninsula (-2.1%), while the smallest over-the-month decline was a minor 0.2 percent decrease registered in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA. 

Since December 2008, total employment fell in all 17 regions with an average decrease of 4.8 percent.  The most moderate declines were recorded in theAnn Arbor and Lansing-East Lansing MSAs along with the Northwest Lower Michigan region.  The most pronounced drops were evident in theFlint, Holland-Grand Haven, and Niles-Benton Harbor MSAs.

Labor Force Levels Down Over Month, Year
In December, labor force levels declined by an average of nearly 1.0 percent in 16 of the 17 state regions.  The Northwest Lower Michigan region recorded a slight increase over the month.   Between December 2008 and December 2009, labor force levels contracted in 16 major labor market areas with the most notable drops posted in theFlint and Holland-Grand Haven MSAs.  The labor force level in the Northwest Lower Michigan region showed a very minor gain over the year.

Payroll Jobs Fall in December
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan declined by 36,000 or 0.9 percent in December to 3,858,000.  A good portion of the over-the-month job losses were seasonal and were led by a 12,000 drop in construction.  Other mostly seasonal declines were posted in government (-7,000), professional and business services (-6,000), and in leisure and hospitality services (-5,000).  All metropolitan areas reported seasonal job reductions in December, with the declines in construction and leisure and hospitality services evident in nearly all of the metropolitan regions.

Manufacturing jobs fell 6,000 in December, with the majority of the over-the-month job reductions occurring in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA.

Jobs in retail trade displayed a minor seasonal gain of 3,000 in December as merchants hired additional staff for the holiday season.  However, the seasonal increase in retail trade jobs due to holiday hiring was less-than-typical throughout the state in 2009.

From December 2008 to December 2009, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs fell statewide by 211,000 or 5.2 percent.  All of the 14 major metropolitan areas in the state recorded payroll job losses since December 2008.  Metropolitan area declines ranged from 0.9 percent in the Ann Arbor MSA to 7.0 percent in the Flint MSA.  The largest over-the-year numerical job reductions were posted in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia (-115,000), Grand Rapids-Wyoming (-12,000) and Flint (-10,000) MSAs.

County Jobless Rates Up Over Month, Year
Eighty of Michigan's 83 counties recorded mostly seasonal unemployment rate increases over the month, with a median gain of 1.1 percentage points.  The largest county jobless rate advances primarily reflected seasonal layoffs in the northern parts of the state.  In December, 81 Michigan counties recorded unemployment rates over 10.0 percent.

From December 2008 to December 2009, unemployment rates rose in all 83 counties, with a median increase of 3.8 percentage points. 

Note:  Data in this release is not seasonally adjusted.  As a result, employment and unemployment trends may differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted data.

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

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

The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) 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.

 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

ANN ARBOR MSA

     

 month

 year

(Washtenaw County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

181,800

181,900

179,900

-1.1%

-1.0%

Total Employment

169,200

165,900

163,600

-1.4%

-3.3%

Unemployment

12,600

16,000

16,300

1.9%

29.4%

Rate (percent)

6.9

8.8

9.0

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

BATTLE CREEK MSA

     

 month

 year

(Calhoun County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

67,900

67,600

67,100

-0.7%

-1.2%

Total Employment

61,400

59,500

58,600

-1.5%

-4.6%

Unemployment

6,500

8,200

8,500

3.7%

30.8%

Rate (percent)

9.6

12.1

12.7

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

BAY CITY MSA

     

 month

 year

(Bay County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

54,100

54,300

54,000

-0.6%

-0.2%

Total Employment

48,800

47,300

46,600

-1.5%

-4.5%

Unemployment

5,300

6,900

7,400

7.2%

39.6%

Rate (percent)

9.7

12.7

13.7

   
           

Contact: Rhea Acuna, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

DETROIT-WARREN-LIVONIA MSA

     

month

 year

(Data in thousands)

         

(Wayne,Oakland,Macomb, Lapeer,

         

Livingston, St. Clair counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

2,074

2,072

2,053

-0.9%

-1.0%

Total Employment

1,853

1,752

1,748

-0.2%

-5.7%

Unemployment

221

320

305

-4.7%

38.0%

Rate (percent)

10.6

15.4

14.9

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

FLINT MSA

     

 month

 year

(Genesee County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

199,300

193,600

191,900

-0.9%

-3.7%

Total Employment

175,200

162,500

160,100

-1.5%

-8.6%

Unemployment

24,100

31,200

31,800

1.9%

32.0%

Rate (percent)

12.1

16.1

16.6

   
           

Contact: Rhea Acuna, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA

     

month

 year

(Barry, Ionia, Kent , Newaygo counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

398,700

396,400

393,200

-0.8%

-1.4%

Total Employment

362,800

350,200

345,400

-1.4%

-4.8%

Unemployment

35,900

46,200

47,900

3.7%

33.4%

Rate (percent)

9.0

11.7

12.2

   
           

Contact: Jason Palmer, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

HOLLAND - GRAND HAVEN MSA

     

month

 year

(Ottawa County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

132,200

130,100

128,800

-1.0%

-2.6%

Total Employment

119,800

113,600

111,600

-1.8%

-6.8%

Unemployment

12,300

16,500

17,200

4.2%

39.8%

Rate (percent)

9.3

12.7

13.3

   
           

Contact: Jason Palmer, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

JACKSON MSA

     

 month

 year

(Jackson County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

75,700

75,400

74,700

-0.9%

-1.3%

Total Employment

67,300

64,300

63,200

-1.7%

-6.1%

Unemployment

8,300

11,100

11,500

3.6%

38.6%

Rate (percent)

11.0

14.7

15.4

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

KALAMAZOO -PORTAGE MSA

     

 month

 year

(Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

171,700

171,300

169,900

-0.8%

-1.0%

Total Employment

156,500

151,800

149,000

-1.8%

-4.8%

Unemployment

15,300

19,600

20,900

6.6%

36.6%

Rate (percent)

8.9

11.4

12.3

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

LANSING -EAST LANSING MSA

     

 month

 year

(Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

246,800

248,100

245,000

-1.2%

-0.7%

Total Employment

226,000

220,200

216,400

-1.7%

-4.2%

Unemployment

20,800

28,000

28,600

2.1%

37.5%

Rate (percent)

8.4

11.3

11.7

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

MONROE MSA

     

 month

 year

(Monroe County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

75,300

75,700

74,800

-1.2%

-0.7%

Total Employment

66,800

64,800

63,800

-1.5%

-4.5%

Unemployment

8,500

10,900

11,000

0.9%

29.4%

Rate (percent)

11.3

14.4

14.7

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

MUSKEGON -NORTON SHORES MSA

     

month

 year

(Muskegon County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

88,000

87,900

86,800

-1.3%

-1.4%

Total Employment

77,800

74,200

72,800

-1.9%

-6.4%

Unemployment

10,200

13,800

14,100

2.2%

38.2%

Rate (percent)

11.6

15.7

16.2

   
           

Contact: Jason Palmer, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

NILES -BENTON HARBOR MSA

     

 month

 year

(Berrien County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

78,700

77,900

77,200

-0.9%

-1.9%

Total Employment

70,700

67,300

66,100

-1.8%

-6.5%

Unemployment

8,000

10,600

11,100

4.7%

38.8%

Rate (percent)

10.2

13.6

14.4

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

SAGINAW-Saginaw Township North MSA

     

 month

 year

(Saginaw County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

93,400

92,400

91,700

-0.8%

-1.8%

Total Employment

83,900

80,100

78,900

-1.5%

-6.0%

Unemployment

9,500

12,300

12,800

4.1%

34.7%

Rate (percent)

10.2

13.3

14.0

   
           

Contact: Rhea Acuna, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

UPPER PENINSULA LMA

     

 month

year

(15 counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

156,400

155,700

155,200

-0.3%

-0.8%

Total Employment

138,600

135,600

132,700

-2.1%

-4.3%

Unemployment

17,800

20,100

22,500

11.9%

26.4%

Rate (percent)

11.4

12.9

14.5

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN

     

 month

 year

 (Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford,

         

Iosco, Montmorency,Ogemaw, Oscoda,

         

Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

93,000

92,900

92,800

-0.1%

-0.2%

Total Employment

78,900

77,400

75,500

-2.5%

-4.3%

Unemployment

14,100

15,500

17,300

11.6%

22.7%

Rate (percent)

15.2

16.7

18.7

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN

     

 month

 year

(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie,

         

Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau,

         

Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

153,300

153,100

153,800

0.5%

0.3%

Total Employment

134,500

130,400

128,900

-1.2%

-4.2%

Unemployment

18,800

22,700

24,900

9.7%

32.4%

Rate (percent)

12.2

14.8

16.2

   
           

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

           
 

Dec-08

Nov-09

Dec-09

% change

% change

MICHIGAN  (Data in thousands)

     

 month

 year

Civilian Labor Force

4,863

4,846

4,806

-0.8%

-1.2%

Total Employment

4,353

4,163

4,118

-1.1%

-5.4%

Unemployment

509

683

687

0.6%

35.0%

Rate (percent)

10.5

14.1

14.3

   
           

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

 

MICHIGAN'S MAJOR LABOR MARKET AREA'S
PRELIMINARY ANNUAL AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES 2008 2009

         
 

2008

 

2009

 
         
ANN ARBOR MSA

5.9

 

8.8

 
         

BATTLE CREEK MSA

7.7

 

12.3

 
         

BAY CITY MSA

7.9

 

12.4

 
         

DETROIT-WARREN-LIVONIA MSA

8.8

 

15.4

 
         

FLINT MSA

10.6

 

15.8

 
         

GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA

7.2

 

11.6

 
         

HOLLAND - GRAND HAVEN MSA

7.0

 

12.7

 
         

JACKSON MSA

8.7

 

14.3

 
         

KALAMAZOO -PORTAGE MSA

6.9

 

11.1

 
         

LANSING -EAST LANSING MSA

6.8

 

11.1

 
         

MONROE MSA

8.9

 

14.8

 
         

MUSKEGON -NORTON SHORES MSA

8.8

 

15.5

 
         

NILES -BENTON HARBOR MSA

8.1

 

13.0

 
         

SAGINAW-SAGINAW TOWNSHIP NORTH MSA

8.6

 

13.1

 
         

UPPER PENINSULA

8.5

 

12.6

 
         

NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN

11.1

 

16.1

 
         

NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN

9.0

 

13.8

 
         

MICHIGAN

8.4

 

14.0

 

 

MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
DECEMBER 2009

             

1

Washtenaw County

9.0

 

43

Ogemaw County

15.9

2

Isabella County

9.1

 

44

Crawford County

16.0

3

Clinton County

10.4

 

45

Muskegon County

16.2

4

Midland County

10.7

 

46

Alger County

16.3

5

Eaton County

10.9

 

47

Shiawassee County

16.5

6

Marquette County

11.2

 

48

Huron County

16.5

7

Kalamazoo County

11.3

 

49

Kalkaska County

16.6

8

Leelanau County

11.6

 

50

Lenawee County

16.6

9

Barry County

11.7

 

51

Genesee County

16.6

10

Kent County

11.8

 

52

Luce County

16.8

11

Ingham County

12.3

 

53

St. Clair County

17.2

12

Houghton County

12.4

 

54

Osceola County

17.6

13

Cass County

12.4

 

55

Hillsdale County

17.6

14

Menominee County

12.4

 

56

Schoolcraft County

17.8

15

Livingston County

12.5

 

57

Tuscola County

17.8

16

Calhoun County

12.7

 

58

Benzie County

17.8

17

Dickinson County

13.0

 

59

Otsego County

17.9

18

Ottawa County

13.3

 

60

Roscommon County

18.0

19

Oakland County

13.3

 

61

Montcalm County

18.1

20

St. Joseph County

13.6

 

62

Antrim County

18.1

21

Bay County

13.7

 

63

Charlevoix County

18.2

22

Grand Traverse County

13.8

 

64

Missaukee County

18.3

23

Saginaw County

14.0

 

65

Clare County

18.5

24

Branch County

14.1

 

66

Lapeer County

18.6

25

Gogebic County

14.3

 

67

Emmet County

18.6

26

Berrien County

14.4

 

68

Gladwin County

18.6

27

Allegan County

14.4

 

69

Sanilac County

19.2

28

Iron County

14.4

 

70

Wexford County

19.3

29

Ionia County

14.5

 

71

Cheboygan County

20.0

30

Delta County

14.5

 

72

Iosco County

20.4

31

Gratiot County

14.6

 

73

Oceana County

20.4

32

Mecosta County

14.6

 

74

Keweenaw County

20.4

33

Monroe County

14.7

 

75

Alcona County

20.8

34

Alpena County

15.2

 

76

Arenac County

21.0

35

Macomb County

15.2

 

77

Lake County

21.2

36

Chippewa County

15.3

 

78

Presque Isle County

22.8

37

Newaygo County

15.3

 

79

Oscoda County

23.0

38

Van Buren County

15.4

 

80

Ontonagon County

23.6

39

Jackson County

15.4

 

81

Montmorency County

24.5

40

Manistee County

15.6

 

82

Mackinac County

27.3

41

Wayne County

15.7

 

83

Baraga County

27.6

42

Mason County

15.8

       

Michigan.gov Home | LARA Home | Office of Regulatory Reinvention | State Web Sites
Accessibility Policy | Link Policy | Privacy Policy | Security Policy | Michigan News | Michigan.gov Survey


Copyright © 2001-2012 State of Michigan