LARA - September Unemployment Rates Edge Down Slightly in Most of Michigan's Regional Labor Markets

October 22, 2009 – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates were little changed throughout the state in September. Rates edged downward in 11 of Michigan's 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth. Total employment and labor force levels declined seasonally in nearly all major regions over the month.

"In a year marked with high unemployment, September was a relatively calm month for Michigan's regional labor markets." said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "Typical seasonal patterns dominated the changes taking place this month."

From August to September, there were mostly minor movements in regional unemployment rates, as 15 of the 17 areas reported rate changes of only plus or minus 0.3 of a percentage point. Jobless rates were down over the month in 11 regions, with the largest decline of 0.6 of a percentage point posted in the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Five areas recorded mostly minor jobless rate gains in September, with the most notable being a seasonal increase of 0.6 of a percentage point in the Northwest Lower Michigan Region. The jobless rate in the Saginaw-Saginaw Township North MSA was unchanged over the month.

Unemployment Rates Up Significantly Over Year
From September 2008 to September 2009, jobless rates were up substantially in all 17 regions with a median increase of 4.7 percentage points. The over-the-year rate hikes ranged from 2.9 percentage points in the Ann Arbor MSA to 8.4 percentage points in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA. Most unemployment rate increases fell within the 4.0 to 5.8 percentage point range.

Total Employment Down Over Month, Year
Over the month, total employment declined seasonally in 14 of the state's major regions, with a median decrease of 1.5 percent. The largest percentage decrease was posted in the Northwest Lower Michigan Region (-4.3%) due to the winding down of the summer tourism season. Employment increased slightly over the month in the Lansing-East Lansing and Flint MSAs, and the Monroe MSA reported no change.

Since September 2008, total employment fell in all 17 regions with an average drop of 7.6 percent. The smallest percentage declines over the year were registered in the Upper Peninsula and the Northwest Lower Michigan Region, while the most pronounced percentage drops were recorded in the Flint and Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSAs.

Labor Force Levels Down Over Month, Year
In September, 16 of the17 regions reported seasonal work force reductions, with a median decline of 1.6 percent. The labor force level in the Lansing-East Lansing MSA was essentially unchanged over the month.

From September 2008 to September 2009, decreased labor force levels were registered in all of the state's major labor market areas, with significant drops seen in most areas.

Seasonal Gain in Education Jobs
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan rose by 47,000 in September to 3,870,000. Government led the job gains with increases in local government education (+42,000) and state government education (+14,000) as students returned to colleges, universities and local schools. The seasonal advance in local government education jobs was evident throughout the state, while state government education job gains were concentrated in the Lansing-East Lansing and Ann Arbor MSAs.

Private sector jobs throughout Michigan declined by 7,000 in September as mostly seasonal reductions in leisure and hospitality services (-14,000), trade, transportation and utilities (-10,000) and construction (-6,000) were partially offset by gains in professional and business services (+10,000) manufacturing (+8,000) and education and health services (+7,000).

The September gain in manufacturing jobs was mainly due to minor recalls in the auto industry with about half the increase recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA. Nearly all the increase in professional and business services took place within the temporary help services sub category, while the advance in education and health services was bolstered by a seasonal hike in private education.

From September 2008 to September 2009, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs fell statewide by 305,000 or 7.3 percent. All of the 14 major metropolitan areas in the state recorded significant payroll job drops since September 2008. Metropolitan area declines ranged from 4.3 to 8.2 percent in this period. The largest over-the-year numerical reductions were posted in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia (-148,000), Grand Rapids-Wyoming (-18,000), Flint (-11,000) and Lansing-East Lansing (-10,000) MSAs.

County Jobless Rates Mixed, Little Changed Over Month, Up Over Year
Thirty-nine of Michigan's 83 counties recorded minor unemployment rate reductions over the month, while 38 counties reported small increases. Average rate changes in September remained within the narrow band of plus or minus 0.3 of a percentage point. Six counties recoded no jobless rate change from August to September.

From September 2008 to September 2009, unemployment rates rose in all 83 counties, with a substantial median increase of 5.0 percentage points. In this period, the six counties that constitute the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA ranked within the top ten largest county increases.

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 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 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.

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
ANN ARBOR MSA				month	year
(Washtenaw County)
Civilian Labor Force	184,100	176,400	175,600	-0.5%	-4.6%
Total Employment	172,300	159,700	159,200	-0.3%	-7.6%
Unemployment	11,800	16,700	16,400	-1.8%	39.0%
Rate (percent)	6.4	9.4	9.3

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
BATTLE CREEK MSA				month	year
(Calhoun County)
Civilian Labor Force	68,300	67,700	66,600	-1.6%	-2.5%
Total Employment	62,800	59,200	58,300	-1.5%	-7.2%
Unemployment	5,500	8,500	8,300	-2.4%	50.9%
Rate (percent)	8.0	12.5	12.4

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
BAY CITY MSA				month	year
(Bay County)
Civilian Labor Force	54,400	54,400	53,600	-1.5%	-1.5%
Total Employment	50,300	47,800	47,000	-1.7%	-6.6%
Unemployment	4,200	6,600	6,600	0.0%	57.1%
Rate (percent)	7.6	12.1	12.3

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
DETROIT-WARREN-LIVONIA MSA				month	year
(Data in thousands)
( Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer,
Livingston, St. Clair counties)
Civilian Labor Force	2,097	2,116	2,090	-1.2%	-0.3%
Total Employment	1,910	1,757	1,729	-1.6%	-9.5%
Unemployment	186	359	361	0.6%	94.1%
Rate (percent)	8.9	17.0	17.3

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
FLINT MSA				month	year
(Genesee County)
Civilian Labor Force	200,000	190,000	189,700	-0.2%	-5.2%
Total Employment	179,000	159,400	159,800	0.3%	-10.7%
Unemployment	21,000	30,600	29,900	-2.3%	42.4%
Rate (percent)	10.5	16.1	15.8

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA				month	year
(Barry, Ionia, Kent , Newaygo counties)
Civilian Labor Force	398,800	392,800	388,400	-1.1%	-2.6%
Total Employment	368,700	345,800	342,300	-1.0%	-7.2%
Unemployment	30,100	47,000	46,100	-1.9%	53.2%
Rate (percent)	7.5	12.0	11.9

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
HOLLAND - GRAND HAVEN MSA				month	year
(Ottawa County)
Civilian Labor Force	133,100	129,800	128,600	-0.9%	-3.4%
Total Employment	123,500	113,100	112,100	-0.9%	-9.2%
Unemployment	9,600	16,700	16,500	-1.2%	71.9%
Rate (percent)	7.2	12.9	12.8

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
JACKSON MSA				month	year
(Jackson County)
Civilian Labor Force	75,900	75,000	73,800	-1.6%	-2.8%
Total Employment	69,000	63,700	62,800	-1.4%	-9.0%
Unemployment	6,900	11,300	11,000	-2.7%	59.4%
Rate (percent)	9.1	15.1	14.9

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
KALAMAZOO - PORTAGE MSA				month	year
( Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties)
Civilian Labor Force	173,100	169,900	166,900	-1.8%	-3.6%
Total Employment	160,500	150,200	147,400	-1.9%	-8.2%
Unemployment	12,500	19,800	19,500	-1.5%	56.0%
Rate (percent)	7.2	11.6	11.7

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
LANSING - EAST LANSING MSA				month	year
(Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties)
Civilian Labor Force	248,500	240,400	240,400	0.0%	-3.3%
Total Employment	231,300	213,300	214,000	0.3%	-7.5%
Unemployment	17,200	27,100	26,400	-2.6%	53.5%
Rate (percent)	6.9	11.3	11.0

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
MONROE MSA				month	year
(Monroe County)
Civilian Labor Force	75,700	74,900	74,300	-0.8%	-1.8%
Total Employment	68,700	63,800	63,800	0.0%	-7.1%
Unemployment	7,100	11,100	10,600	-4.5%	49.3%
Rate (percent)	9.3	14.8	14.2

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
MUSKEGON - NORTON SHORES MSA				month	year
(Muskegon County)
Civilian Labor Force	89,000	89,300	87,800	-1.7%	-1.3%
Total Employment	80,800	74,800	73,700	-1.5%	-8.8%
Unemployment	8,200	14,400	14,100	-2.1%	72.0%
Rate (percent)	9.2	16.2	16.0

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
NILES - BENTON HARBOR MSA				month	year
(Berrien County)
Civilian Labor Force	80,300	78,500	77,000	-1.9%	-4.1%
Total Employment	73,500	68,000	66,600	-2.1%	-9.4%
Unemployment	6,700	10,500	10,400	-1.0%	55.2%
Rate (percent)	8.4	13.4	13.5

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
SAGINAW-Saginaw Township North MSA				month	year
(Saginaw County)
Civilian Labor Force	94,000	91,200	90,400	-0.9%	-3.8%
Total Employment	85,900	79,400	78,800	-0.8%	-8.3%
Unemployment	8,100	11,800	11,700	-0.8%	44.4%
Rate (percent)	8.7	12.9	12.9

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
UPPER PENINSULA LMA				month	year
(15 counties)
Civilian Labor Force	157,900	158,500	155,900	-1.6%	-1.3%
Total Employment	146,100	140,000	138,000	-1.4%	-5.5%
Unemployment	11,800	18,500	18,000	-2.7%	52.5%
Rate (percent)	7.5	11.7	11.5

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN				month	year
(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford,
Iosco, Montmorency,Ogemaw, Oscoda,
Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties
Civilian Labor Force	95,800	96,400	94,400	-2.1%	-1.5%
Total Employment	86,700	82,600	80,900	-2.1%	-6.7%
Unemployment	9,100	13,800	13,400	-2.9%	47.3%
Rate (percent)	9.5	14.3	14.2

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN				month	year
(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie,
Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau,
Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties)
Civilian Labor Force	156,700	161,100	155,300	-3.6%	-0.9%
Total Employment	143,700	141,000	135,000	-4.3%	-6.1%
Unemployment	13,000	20,100	20,300	1.0%	56.2%
Rate (percent)	8.3	12.5	13.1

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

	Sep-08	Aug-09	Sep-09	% change	% change
MICHIGAN (Data in thousands)				month	year
Civilian Labor Force	4,909	4,885	4,826	-1.2%	-1.7%
Total Employment	4,492	4,167	4,113	-1.3%	-8.4%
Unemployment	417	718	713	-0.7%	71.0%
Rate (percent)	8.5	14.7	14.8

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

MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SEPTEMBER 2009

1	Mackinac County	6.1	43	Gratiot County	13.7
2	Isabella County	8.5	44	Newaygo County	13.8
3	Cheboygan County	8.6	45	Ontonagon County	13.8
4	Leelanau County	9.0	46	St. Joseph County	13.9
5	Washtenaw County	9.3	47	Charlevoix County	13.9
6	Clinton County	9.4	48	Alpena County	13.9
7	Marquette County	10.1	49	Branch County	14.0
8	Houghton County	10.2	50	Monroe County	14.2
9	Midland County	10.2	51	Kalkaska County	14.3
10	Eaton County	10.3	52	Roscommon County	14.6
11	Barry County	10.5	53	Otsego County	14.7
12	Kalamazoo County	11.2	54	Antrim County	14.7
13	Cass County	11.4	55	Huron County	14.8
14	Delta County	11.5	56	Jackson County	14.9
15	Chippewa County	11.6	57	Missaukee County	15.0
16	Ingham County	11.6	58	Shiawassee County	15.2
17	Kent County	11.7	59	Oceana County	15.2
18	Iron County	11.7	60	Osceola County	15.3
19	Keweenaw County	11.9	61	Oakland County	15.6
20	Alger County	12.0	62	Arenac County	15.8
21	Benzie County	12.0	63	Genesee County	15.8
22	Grand Traverse County	12.0	64	Presque Isle County	16.0
23	Dickinson County	12.0	65	Muskegon County	16.0
24	Emmet County	12.2	66	Lenawee County	16.1
25	Bay County	12.3	67	Tuscola County	16.3
26	Calhoun County	12.4	68	Iosco County	16.4
27	Menominee County	12.5	69	Gladwin County	16.5
28	Manistee County	12.6	70	Alcona County	16.7
29	Schoolcraft County	12.7	71	Clare County	16.8
30	Ogemaw County	12.7	72	Hillsdale County	17.2
31	Ottawa County	12.8	73	Lake County	17.5
32	Mason County	12.9	74	Montcalm County	17.6
33	Saginaw County	12.9	75	Sanilac County	17.8
34	Mecosta County	13.0	76	Lapeer County	18.1
35	Van Buren County	13.2	77	Macomb County	18.1
36	Allegan County	13.2	78	Wexford County	18.3
37	Luce County	13.2	79	Wayne County	18.3
38	Gogebic County	13.3	80	Montmorency County	18.9
39	Ionia County	13.4	81	St. Clair County	19.0
40	Berrien County	13.5	82	Oscoda County	19.1
41	Livingston County	13.6	83	Baraga County	24.3
42	Crawford County	13.7