May Jobless Rates Mixed In Michigan's Major Labor Market Areas

Contact: Jeannie Vogel (517) 241-0592

Agency: Workforce Programs

June 26, 2003

May seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates were mixed in Michigan's 12 major labor market areas, John Palmer, deputy director for Workforce Programs, Michigan Department of Career Development, announced today.  Jobless rates decreased in five areas and increased in five areas, with the two remaining areas recording no change over the month.  Employment and labor force levels increased seasonally and substantially in all major areas. 

"A larger-than-normal seasonal job surge in May for Michigan's major labor market areas merely reflected a rebound from a very sluggish April," Palmer said.  "Nearly all of the state's local areas have continued to report a somewhat higher rate of joblessness this year than last."

Over the month, unemployment rate increases for the five areas were marginal, advancing by 0.5 of a percentage point or less.  The range varied more widely for the five areas displaying jobless rate declines.  While two areas registered unemployment rate decreases of 0.4 of a percentage point or less, the three northernmost labor market areas recorded seasonal rate drops of more than a full percentage point.  The jobless rates in the Saginaw-Bay-Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the Jackson MSA were unchanged from April to May.

Unemployment Rates Up Over Year

From May 2002 to May 2003, unemployment rates rose in 10 of the 12 state regions.  Most increases were moderate, with a median advance of 0.6 of a percentage point.  Rates in both the Jackson and Saginaw-Bay-Midland MSAs were up a full percentage point over the year.

Employment Up Over Month

All 12 of Michigan's major labor market areas registered seasonal labor force and employment gains in May.  Employment increases were significant in most areas, with the 12 regions recording a median advance of more than two percent.  The Northeast Lower Michigan Region, Upper Peninsula, and the Northwest Lower Michigan Region all outpaced the other areas within the state by posting employment gains of at least three percent over the month.

Significant Seasonal Gains In Payroll Employment

The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan jumped in May by 94,000 to total 4,488,000.  Job gains statewide were widespread throughout all major industry categories and were led by seasonal increases in leisure and hospitality services (+28,000), construction (+18,000), professional and business services (+15,000), and retail trade (+10,000).  More moderate gains were shown in manufacturing (+6,000) and government (+5,000).  The remaining industry sectors registered minor increases over the month.

All metropolitan areas recorded seasonal increases in total payroll employment.  The gain in manufacturing employment was primarily in the Detroit and Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland MSAs as workers returned to jobs after short-term layoffs in April.  However, both areas continued to demonstrate substantial reductions in manufacturing over the year.

Although government jobs were up in total over the month, state government education was down statewide by 8,000 due to the end of the winter/spring semester at colleges and universities.  This decline was most evident in the Ann Arbor and Lansing MSAs.

Every metropolitan area in the state reported an increase in construction jobs in May, each displaying at least an eight-percent growth rate in that industry sector over the month.

County Jobless Rates Down Over Month, Up Over Year

Sixty-three of Michigan's 83 counties recorded seasonal unemployment rate declines in May, with a median decrease of 0.7 of a percentage point.  Of the 20 counties recording the largest rate drops over the month, 19 were located in the state's three northernmost labor market areas.  In May, 17 counties registered minor jobless rate increases, and the rates in three counties were unchanged from April.

Over the year, unemployment rates were up in 61 counties and down in 20.  Most rate changes were marginal.  The jobless rates in two counties were unchanged since May 2002. 

A breakdown of seasonally unadjusted May workforce estimates for Michigan and its 12 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for May.

Note to Eds:  Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads "Michigan Department of Career Development," or "Michigan Department of Career Development, Employment Service Agency."

The Michigan Department of Career Development is the state government agency charged with providing the skilled workforce Michigan needs to enhance and maintain its economy.  To this end, the state's career and training development agency is working with employers, K-12 schools, community colleges, and local Workforce Development Boards to develop a comprehensive career development system.  For more information about the Michigan Department of Career Development, visit the department's Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdcd or call 1-866-MY-GOALS (voice/TTY).