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.
May Unemployment Rates Increase in Most of Michigan's Regional Labor Markets; Sluggish Overall Economy Dampens Seasonal Employment Hunt in Many Areas

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


June 25, 2009 Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose over the month in 14 of Michigan's 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.  In May, total employment levels increased seasonally in the majority of regions, while labor force levels were up in nearly all areas.

"Due to the ongoing weakness in the national economy, the tens of thousands of individuals who normally enter Michigan's labor market in May seeking seasonal employment found fewer opportunities." said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.  "Although many did obtain jobs, it was less than typically expected.  This situation pushed unemployment rates upward in the southern part of the state."

From April to May, unemployment rates rose in all of the state's 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).  Over-the-month Increases ranged from 1.0 to 2.3 percentage points with a median advance of 1.4 percentage points.  In May, 16 of the state's major labor markets posted jobless rates above 10.0 percent.

May jobless rates declined seasonally in the state's three northernmost labor market regions.  The unemployment rate fell in the Northeast Lower Michigan Region by 1.3 percentage points, while the Northwest Lower Michigan Region and the Upper Peninsula recorded declines of 0.6 and 0.3 of a percentage point respectively.

Unemployment Rates Up Significantly in All Regions Over Year
From May 2008 to May 2009, jobless rates jumped upward in all 17 regions.  Rate increases ranged from 3.1 to 7.6 percentage points with a median advance of 5.4 percentage points.  The largest over-the-year jumps were registered in the Muskegon-Norton Shores, Monroe, Detroit-Warren-Livonia and Holland-Grand Haven MSAs.

Total Employment Up Seasonally Over Month, Down Over Year
Over the month, total employment increased in ten regions.  Minor increases were posted in seven southern MSAs, with a slight average advance of 0.2 percent.  Larger seasonal gains were displayed in the state's three northernmost areas, with combined employment growth in the regions of 11,000 due to onset of the summer tourism season.  Six areas reported moderate employment decreases over the month, while total employment was essentially unchanged in the Battle Creek MSA.

Since May 2008, total employment dropped significantly in all 17 regions.

Labor Force Levels Up Over Month, Down Over Year
In May, labor force levels increased seasonally in 16 areas and declined slightly in the Ann Arbor MSA.

From May 2008 to May 2009, labor force levels fell substantially in all 17 regions with a median decline of 3.0 percent.

Seasonal Industries Boost Payroll Jobs
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan rose by 34,000 in May to total 3,928,000.  Gains were confined to seasonal industries with advances in leisure and hospitality services (+24,000), professional and business services (+10,000), construction (+10,000), and in trade, transportation and utilities (+7,000).  A reduction in manufacturing jobs (-14,000) somewhat offset the overall gain.

The May job reduction in manufacturing was widespread throughout the state's metropolitan areas, however, it was the most pronounced in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA.

State government education employment fell by 14,000 in May due to the end of the winter/spring semester at many colleges and universities throughout the state.  The May declines were most evident in the Ann Arbor, Lansing-East Lansing and Kalamazoo-Portage MSAs.

All metropolitan areas reported seasonal growth over the month in leisure and hospitality services and construction jobs.

From May 2008 to May 2009, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs fell statewide by 299,000 or 7.1 percent.  All of the 12 major metropolitan areas in the state recorded significant payroll job declines since May 2008 ranging from 3.5 to 8.8 percent.  The largest numerical over-the-year metropolitan job losses were reported in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia (-155,000), Grand Rapids-Wyoming (-22,000), Holland-Grand Haven (-10,000) and Lansing-East Lansing (-9,000) MSAs.  The remaining metropolitan areas registered job reductions of 4,000 to 7,000 over the year.

Education and heath services along with government were the most stable job categories throughout Michigan's metropolitan areas since May 2008.

County Jobless Rates Up Over Month, Year
Fifty-nine of Michigan's 83 counties recorded unemployment rate increases over the month, with a median advance of 1.1 percentage points.  Jobless rates declined in May in 24 counties, all located in the state's northern areas.

From May 2008 to May 2009, unemployment rates were up in all 83 counties, with a substantial median jump of 5.7 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 May workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for May.

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.

 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

ANN ARBOR MSA

     

 month

 year

(Washtenaw County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

184,700

175,900

175,800

-0.1%

-4.8%

Total Employment

173,700

162,100

159,700

-1.5%

-8.1%

Unemployment

11,000

13,700

16,100

17.5%

46.4%

Rate (percent)

6.0

7.8

9.1

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

BATTLE CREEK MSA

     

 month

 year

(Calhoun County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

69,800

65,800

66,800

1.5%

-4.3%

Total Employment

64,700

58,300

58,300

0.0%

-9.9%

Unemployment

5,100

7,500

8,400

12.0%

64.7%

Rate (percent)

7.3

11.4

12.7

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

BAY CITY MSA

     

 month

 year

(Bay County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

55,400

52,900

53,800

1.7%

-2.9%

Total Employment

51,000

46,800

47,100

0.6%

-7.6%

Unemployment

4,300

6,100

6,700

9.8%

55.8%

Rate (percent)

7.8

11.5

12.5

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

DETROIT-WARREN-LIVONIA MSA

     

month

 year

(Data in thousands)

         

 (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer,

         

Livingston, St. Clair counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

2,113

2,063

2,089

1.3%

-1.1%

Total Employment

1,938

1,783

1,778

-0.3%

-8.3%

Unemployment

175

279

311

11.5%

77.7%

Rate (percent)

8.3

13.5

14.9

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

FLINT MSA

     

 month

 year

(Genesee County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

204,900

192,500

198,300

3.0%

-3.2%

Total Employment

182,500

165,200

165,500

0.2%

-9.3%

Unemployment

22,400

27,300

32,700

19.8%

46.0%

Rate (percent)

10.9

14.2

16.5

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA

     

month

 year

(Barry, Ionia, Kent , Newaygo counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

408,800

384,600

390,200

1.5%

-4.5%

Total Employment

381,100

344,200

344,600

0.1%

-9.6%

Unemployment

27,800

40,400

45,600

12.9%

64.0%

Rate (percent)

6.8

10.5

11.7

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

HOLLAND - GRAND HAVEN MSA

     

month

 year

(Ottawa County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

136,000

128,400

129,400

0.8%

-4.9%

Total Employment

126,900

113,700

112,600

-1.0%

-11.3%

Unemployment

9,100

14,700

16,700

13.6%

83.5%

Rate (percent)

6.7

11.5

12.9

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

JACKSON MSA

     

 month

 year

(Jackson County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

77,100

73,600

74,900

1.8%

-2.9%

Total Employment

70,800

64,200

64,300

0.2%

-9.2%

Unemployment

6,300

9,400

10,600

12.8%

68.3%

Rate (percent)

8.1

12.7

14.1

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

KALAMAZOO - PORTAGE MSA

     

 month

 year

(Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

173,800

166,200

166,800

0.4%

-4.0%

Total Employment

162,800

150,100

148,800

-0.9%

-8.6%

Unemployment

11,000

16,100

18,000

11.8%

63.6%

Rate (percent)

6.3

9.7

10.8

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

LANSING - EAST LANSING MSA

     

 month

 year

(Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

254,500

240,600

243,200

1.1%

-4.4%

Total Employment

236,600

217,500

215,900

-0.7%

-8.7%

Unemployment

17,900

23,000

27,400

19.1%

53.1%

Rate (percent)

7.0

9.6

11.3

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

MONROE MSA

     

 month

 year

(Monroe County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

77,200

75,100

76,200

1.5%

-1.3%

Total Employment

70,400

64,400

63,900

-0.8%

-9.2%

Unemployment

6,800

10,800

12,300

13.9%

80.9%

Rate (percent)

8.7

14.3

16.2

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

MUSKEGON - NORTON SHORES MSA

     

month

 year

(Muskegon County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

89,700

85,600

87,500

2.2%

-2.5%

Total Employment

82,300

73,400

73,700

0.4%

-10.4%

Unemployment

7,400

12,200

13,800

13.1%

86.5%

Rate (percent)

8.2

14.2

15.8

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

NILES - BENTON HARBOR MSA

     

 month

 year

(Berrien County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

80,800

76,100

77,300

1.6%

-4.3%

Total Employment

74,800

67,300

67,400

0.1%

-9.9%

Unemployment

6,000

8,900

9,900

11.2%

65.0%

Rate (percent)

7.4

11.6

12.8

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

SAGINAW-Saginaw Township North MSA

     

 month

 year

 (Saginaw County)

         

Civilian Labor Force

95,400

90,500

92,500

2.2%

-3.0%

Total Employment

87,000

79,800

80,000

0.3%

-8.0%

Unemployment

8,500

10,700

12,500

16.8%

47.1%

Rate (percent)

8.9

11.8

13.5

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

UPPER PENINSULA LMA

     

 month

year

(15 counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

158,200

153,500

155,200

1.1%

-1.9%

Total Employment

145,700

133,700

135,600

1.4%

-6.9%

Unemployment

12,500

19,700

19,600

-0.5%

56.8%

Rate (percent)

7.9

12.9

12.6

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN

     

 month

 year

(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford,

         

Iosco, Montmorency,Ogemaw, Oscoda,

         

Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

96,400

91,400

94,300

3.2%

-2.2%

Total Employment

87,200

76,400

80,000

4.7%

-8.3%

Unemployment

9,200

15,000

14,300

-4.7%

55.4%

Rate (percent)

9.5

16.4

15.1

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN

     

 month

 year

(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie,

         

Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau,

         

Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties)

         

Civilian Labor Force

157,300

149,000

154,400

3.6%

-1.8%

Total Employment

144,700

128,600

134,100

4.3%

-7.3%

Unemployment

12,600

20,400

20,300

-0.5%

61.1%

Rate (percent)

8.0

13.7

13.1

   
           

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

           
 

May-08

Apr-09

May-09

% change

% change

MICHIGAN (Data in thousands)

     

 month

 year

Civilian Labor Force

4,967

4,780

4,848

1.4%

-2.4%

Total Employment

4,570

4,176

4,176

0.0%

-8.6%

Unemployment

398

604

672

11.3%

68.8%

Rate (percent)

8.0

12.6

13.9

   
           

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

 

MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
MAY 2009

             

1

Mackinac County

8.1

 

43

Antrim County

14.3

2

Isabella County

8.6

 

44

Alger County

14.4

3

Leelanau County

8.6

 

45

Gogebic County

14.5

4

Washtenaw County

9.1

 

46

Charlevoix County

14.5

5

Midland County

9.9

 

47

Otsego County

14.7

6

Clinton County

9.9

 

48

Branch County

14.8

7

Kalamazoo County

10.3

 

49

Gratiot County

14.8

8

Barry County

10.5

 

50

Ionia County

14.8

9

Marquette County

10.8

 

51

Schoolcraft County

14.9

10

Eaton County

10.9

 

52

St. Joseph County

15.0

11

Cheboygan County

11.3

 

53

Roscommon County

15.4

12

Kent County

11.3

 

54

Missaukee County

15.4

13

Cass County

11.5

 

55

Huron County

15.4

14

Livingston County

11.5

 

56

Keweenaw County

15.4

15

Ingham County

11.7

 

57

Muskegon County

15.8

16

Grand Traverse County

11.9

 

58

Shiawassee County

15.9

17

Delta County

12.1

 

59

Wayne County

16.0

18

Chippewa County

12.1

 

60

Osceola County

16.2

19

Houghton County

12.2

 

61

Monroe County

16.2

20

Van Buren County

12.4

 

62

Macomb County

16.2

21

Oakland County

12.4

 

63

Genesee County

16.5

22

Bay County

12.5

 

64

Gladwin County

16.6

23

Benzie County

12.6

 

65

Lenawee County

16.7

24

Calhoun County

12.7

 

66

Arenac County

16.7

25

Berrien County

12.8

 

67

Lapeer County

16.9

26

Dickinson County

12.8

 

68

Clare County

16.9

27

Manistee County

12.8

 

69

Iosco County

17.0

28

Mason County

12.8

 

70

Oceana County

17.2

29

Menominee County

12.8

 

71

Wexford County

17.2

30

Iron County

12.8

 

72

Tuscola County

17.4

31

Ogemaw County

12.9

 

73

Montcalm County

17.5

32

Ottawa County

12.9

 

74

Alcona County

17.7

33

Allegan County

13.0

 

75

St. Clair County

17.7

34

Luce County

13.4

 

76

Ontonagon County

17.9

35

Emmet County

13.5

 

77

Presque Isle County

17.9

36

Mecosta County

13.5

 

78

Lake County

18.2

37

Saginaw County

13.5

 

79

Hillsdale County

18.5

38

Kalkaska County

13.8

 

80

Sanilac County

19.1

39

Alpena County

14.1

 

81

Montmorency County

19.5

40

Crawford County

14.1

 

82

Oscoda County

20.3

41

Jackson County

14.1

 

83

Baraga County

26.2

42

Newaygo County

14.2

       

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


Copyright © 2001-2012 State of Michigan