FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2020
Caleb Buhs, buhsc@michigan.gov or 517-282-6018
LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 6.5 percentage points to 14.8 percent in June, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (the May Michigan jobless rate was revised up slightly to 21.3 percent). Total employment in June advanced by a significant 464,000 but was still 556,000 below February pre-pandemic levels. Michigan unemployment levels declined by 281,000 in June.
The national jobless rate decreased by 2.2 percentage points between May and June to 11.1 percent. Michigan’s June rate was 3.7 percentage points higher than the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate rose by 7.4 percentage points, while Michigan’s rate advanced by 10.6 percentage points since June 2019.
“Michigan’s labor market in June recorded a notable rebound in jobs, led by significant recalls in the auto industry,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “The state unemployment rate also fell significantly but remains well above pre-pandemic levels and is comparable with rates recorded during the Great Recession in 2009.”
Monthly labor force trends and highlights
Detroit metropolitan area’s jobless rate falls in June
After the very sharp jobless rate advances in April and May, the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate moved down by 5.5 percentage points in June to 17.7 percent. Employment rose by 197,000, while unemployment fell by 88,000. The Detroit MSA workforce advanced by 109,000 over the month.
The Detroit metro area unemployment rate jumped sharply by 13.3 percentage points over the year. Total employment tumbled by 376,000, and unemployment expanded by 267,000, resulting in a net labor force cut of 109,000 since June 2019.
June recalls push Michigan jobs higher in June
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally adjusted jobs in Michigan continued to partially rebound, moving up significantly in June by 290,000. Over the past two months, payroll job recalls in the state have totaled 460,000, but jobs remain 600,000 below pre-pandemic February levels.
Job gains were seen in nearly all major industry sectors. The largest Michigan numeric industry employment advances were recorded in manufacturing (+79,000), due primarily to recalls in the auto sector, and leisure and hospitality (+50,000), as restaurants began to partially re-open in the state.
Industry employment trends and highlights
For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.
###