October 17, 2007 - Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September edged upward by one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.5 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).  The state's labor force advanced by 42,000 over the month as employment rose by 36,000 while unemployment increased by 6,000.

Michigan's September 2007 jobless rate moved upward by four-tenths of a percentage point from the state's September 2006 rate of 7.1 percent.  In the same period, the national jobless rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point.

"The 2007 average rate through September of 7.0 percent was similar to the 6.9 percent rate posted for 2006," said Rick Waclawek, director of DLEG's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.  "However, the state's unemployment rate has trended upward in recent months."

Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights

• Michigan's third quarter 2007 jobless rate increased by three-tenths of a percentage point to 7.4 percent from the 7.1 percent rate posted in the second quarter.  This rise primarily reflected an 11,000 decline in manufacturing jobs since June.
  
  
• Although the state's labor force grew over the month, it remains below levels recorded earlier in the year.  From January to September, Michigan's labor force declined by 38,000 or 0.7 percent.
  
  
• From September 2006 to September 2007, total employment in Michigan fell by 57,000 or 1.2 percent.  Total employment nationally increased by 0.9 percent in the same time frame.
  
  
• Since September 2006, Michigan and the nation have recorded similar increases in the number of unemployed individuals, up by 5.0 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.
  
  
• The national jobless rate in September increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.7 percent.

MICHIGAN
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

The Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area's (MSA's) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September decreased slightly by one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.9 percent.  Total employment as well as the area's labor force rose by 20,000 over the month as unemployment was essentially unchanged.

From September 2006 to September 2007, the metropolitan area's jobless rate rose by six-tenths of a percentage point.  Over the year, total employment was down in the area by 20,000 as unemployment increased by 12,000.  The region's labor force receded by 8,000 in that period.

Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

According to the monthly survey of employers, seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs declined in September by 11,000 to total 4,269,000.  Private sector jobs rose by 7,000 over the month, mainly due to gains in leisure and hospitality services (+4,000) and education and health services (+3,000).  Offsetting the September gains in private sector employment, government jobs fell by 18,000.  Essentially the entire government decline occurred in local government education.  The remaining major industry sectors recorded relatively minor offsetting increases or decreases over the month.

• With another monthly increase in September, education and health services posted its highest job total so far in 2007.  The over-the-month gain in leisure and hospitality services produced this sector's second highest job total this year.
  
  
• After recording a decline of 12,000 jobs from January to July 2007, construction employment has been steady for the last three months.
  
  
• Manufacturing posted a relatively minor monthly job loss of 2,000 in September.  However, this marked the third consecutive monthly decline in this sector.
   
• From September 2006 to September 2007, payroll jobs in Michigan fell by 64,000 or 1.5 percent.  In that period, the industry sectors posting major job loss included manufacturing (-25,000), government (-22,000), construction (-17,000), and trade, transportation and utilities (-11,000).
  
  
• Since September 2006, education and health services (+12,000) and leisure and hospitality services (+6,000) were the only major industry sectors in Michigan to register job growth.
  
  
• Seasonally adjusted average weekly hours of production workers in manufacturing were little changed over the month as well as over the year.  Seasonally adjusted average earnings declined both over the month and over the year.

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.

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

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.