January 04, 2018
Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in November declined in 13 of the state’s 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and labor force levels increased in most regions over the month.
“November unemployment rates declined slightly in the state’s southern areas, and rose seasonally in the northern regions,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. “Jobless rates in most regions in Michigan were up marginally since November 2016. However, unemployment rates throughout the state have been low in 2017.”
During November, unemployment rates moved downward throughout most of the state. Rate reductions ranged from 0.1 to 1.2 percentage points, with a small median decline of 0.2 of a percentage point. Only two areas posted notable decreases; the Monroe (-1.2) and Detroit-Warren-Dearborn (-0.6) Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Four regions recorded unemployment rate advances over the month. Seasonal rate increases were registered in the state’s three northernmost regions, which included the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+1.1), the Upper Peninsula (+0.6), and the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+0.4). A modest jobless rate gain of 0.1 of a percentage point also occurred in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA. In November, major labor market area unemployment rates in Michigan ranged from 3.1 to 6.8 percent. The November Michigan non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 4.0 percent, while the national unadjusted rate was 3.9 percent.
Unemployment Rates Edge Up Over Year
Since November 2016, jobless rates increased slightly in 16 areas, while the rate in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn declined by a full percentage point. Over-the-year rate advances were moderate, with a median increase of 0.4 of a percentage point. The largest rate gains over this period were posted in the Flint (+0.7) and Battle Creek (+0.6) MSAs.
Total Employment Up Over Month, Down Over Year
From October to November, total employment rose in 14 regions and fell seasonally in the three northernmost regions. Employment gains ranged from 0.4 to 1.2 percent with a solid 1.0 percent median advance. The most pronounced over-the-month increases were in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming (+1.2%) and Saginaw (+1.2%) MSAs. Seasonal employment cuts were significant in the Northeast (-1.9%) and Northwest (-1.3%) Lower Michigan regions along with the Upper Peninsula
(-1.8%). Combined, the three northern areas recorded a November employment drop of 5,700.
Since November 2016, total employment decreased in 13 regions, with reductions ranging from 0.1 to
2.0 percent. The largest employment declines were recorded in the Bay City (-2.0%), Flint (-1.8%) and Midland (-1.8%) MSAs. Employment rose over the year in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Grand Rapids-Wyoming and Ann Arbor metro areas, while total employment was little changed over this period in the Kalamazoo-Portage region.
Labor Force Levels Up Over Month, Mixed Over Year
Between October and November, workforce levels increased in 12 regions and declined in five. Labor force advances in November ranged from 0.3 to 1.1 percent with a median gain of 0.7 percent. Over-the-month workforce reductions were most prominent in the state’s three northern regions.
Since November 2016, labor force levels declined in ten areas and moved upward in seven. The median over-the-year reduction was 0.6 percent with the largest drops recorded in the Midland (-1.7%) and Bay City (-1.5%) metro areas along with the Upper Peninsula (-1.2%). The largest workforce growth since November 2016 was registered in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn (+1.4%) and Grand Rapids-Wyoming (+0.8%) MSAs.
November Payroll Jobs Up Slightly
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan advanced moderately by 7,000 in November to 4,457,000. Seasonal job gains in Trade, transportation and utilities (+13,000) and Professional and business services (+5,000) were largely offset by seasonal job cuts in Leisure and hospitality services (-10,000) and Construction (-5,000). Retail trade jobs rose by 9,000 as merchants continued hiring for the holiday season.
In November, payroll jobs increased in eight metro regions and declined in five. Payroll jobs were little changed over the month in the Midland MSA. The largest percentage job gains in November occurred in the Grand-Rapids-Wyoming (+0.6%), Lansing-East Lansing (+0.5%) and Saginaw (+0.5%) metropolitan areas. The most notable area job reductions were recorded in the Flint (-0.5%) and Bay City (-0.3%) MSAs.
Since November 2016, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs rose statewide by 47,000 or 1.1 percent. Eleven of Michigan’s 14 major metropolitan regions posted job gains over the year led by the Grand Rapids-Wyoming (+2.5%), Ann Arbor (+2.3%) and Kalamazoo-Portage (+2.2%) MSAs. Jobs declined over the year in three metro areas; the Bay City (-1.1%), Flint (-0.6%) and Midland (-0.3%) MSAs.
County Jobless Rates Mixed Over Month, Up Over Year
Thirty-nine of Michigan’s 83 counties reported jobless rate hikes in November, while 38 counties posted mostly modest rate reductions. Rates were unchanged over the month in six counties. The median unemployment rate increase was +0.5 of a percentage point, while the median decline was only -0.2 of a percentage point.
Since November 2016, unemployment rates rose moderately in 67 counties, with a median uptick of 0.4 of a percentage point. Rates declined in nine counties over the year and were unchanged in seven.
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 November workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for November.
Note to Editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
ANN ARBOR MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Washtenaw County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
195,700 |
195,200 |
196,300 |
0.6% |
0.3% |
|
Total Employment |
190,000 |
188,500 |
190,200 |
0.9% |
0.1% |
|
Unemployment |
5,700 |
6,700 |
6,100 |
-9.0% |
7.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
2.9 |
3.4 |
3.1 |
||
|
Contact: Marcus Reason, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 335-8341 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
BATTLE CREEK MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Calhoun County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
64,800 |
64,100 |
64,400 |
0.5% |
-0.6% |
|
Total Employment |
62,300 |
61,100 |
61,600 |
0.8% |
-1.1% |
|
Unemployment |
2,500 |
3,000 |
2,800 |
-6.7% |
12.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.8 |
4.6 |
4.4 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
BAY CITY MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Bay County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
52,100 |
50,900 |
51,300 |
0.8% |
-1.5% |
|
Total Employment |
49,900 |
48,400 |
48,900 |
1.0% |
-2.0% |
|
Unemployment |
2,200 |
2,400 |
2,300 |
-4.2% |
4.5% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
DETROIT-WARREN-DEARBORN MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Data in thousands) |
|||||
|
(Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, |
|||||
|
Livingston, St. Clair counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
2,067 |
2,097 |
2,095 |
-0.1% |
1.4% |
|
Total Employment |
1,969 |
2,008 |
2,017 |
0.4% |
2.4% |
|
Unemployment |
98 |
89 |
78 |
-12.4% |
-20.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.7 |
4.3 |
3.7 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
FLINT MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Genesee County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
183,900 |
180,900 |
181,800 |
0.5% |
-1.1% |
|
Total Employment |
175,800 |
171,400 |
172,600 |
0.7% |
-1.8% |
|
Unemployment |
8,100 |
9,500 |
9,200 |
-3.2% |
13.6% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.4 |
5.3 |
5.1 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Barry, Kent, Montcalm, Ottawa counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
573,000 |
571,300 |
577,600 |
1.1% |
0.8% |
|
Total Employment |
556,200 |
552,100 |
558,900 |
1.2% |
0.5% |
|
Unemployment |
16,800 |
19,200 |
18,700 |
-2.6% |
11.3% |
|
Rate (percent) |
2.9 |
3.4 |
3.2 |
||
|
Contact: Brandon Betz, Regional DTMB Economic Analyst (517) 335-3875 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
JACKSON MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Jackson County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
74,700 |
74,000 |
74,500 |
0.7% |
-0.3% |
|
Total Employment |
71,800 |
70,800 |
71,500 |
1.0% |
-0.4% |
|
Unemployment |
2,900 |
3,200 |
3,100 |
-3.1% |
6.9% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
KALAMAZOO - PORTAGE MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
169,500 |
169,500 |
170,000 |
0.3% |
0.3% |
|
Total Employment |
163,400 |
162,600 |
163,400 |
0.5% |
0.0% |
|
Unemployment |
6,100 |
6,900 |
6,700 |
-2.9% |
9.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.6 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
LANSING - EAST LANSING MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
251,600 |
247,100 |
249,300 |
0.9% |
-0.9% |
|
Total Employment |
243,600 |
237,400 |
240,100 |
1.1% |
-1.4% |
|
Unemployment |
8,000 |
9,800 |
9,200 |
-6.1% |
15.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.2 |
4.0 |
3.7 |
||
|
Contact: Marcus Reason, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 335-8341 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MIDLAND MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Midland County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
41,100 |
40,100 |
40,400 |
0.7% |
-1.7% |
|
Total Employment |
39,500 |
38,400 |
38,800 |
1.0% |
-1.8% |
|
Unemployment |
1,600 |
1,700 |
1,600 |
-5.9% |
0.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.9 |
4.2 |
4.1 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MONROE MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Monroe County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
77,100 |
77,400 |
77,000 |
-0.5% |
-0.1% |
|
Total Employment |
74,400 |
73,500 |
74,000 |
0.7% |
-0.5% |
|
Unemployment |
2,700 |
3,900 |
3,000 |
-23.1% |
11.1% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.5 |
5.1 |
3.9 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MUSKEGON MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Muskegon County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
76,600 |
76,300 |
76,900 |
0.8% |
0.4% |
|
Total Employment |
73,200 |
72,300 |
73,100 |
1.1% |
-0.1% |
|
Unemployment |
3,400 |
3,900 |
3,800 |
-2.6% |
11.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.4 |
5.2 |
4.9 |
||
|
Contact: Brandon Betz, Regional DTMB Economic Analyst (517) 335-3875 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
NILES - BENTON HARBOR MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Berrien County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
73,600 |
73,000 |
73,400 |
0.5% |
-0.3% |
|
Total Employment |
70,600 |
69,800 |
70,200 |
0.6% |
-0.6% |
|
Unemployment |
3,000 |
3,200 |
3,300 |
3.1% |
10.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.1 |
4.4 |
4.5 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
SAGINAW MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Saginaw County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
89,100 |
88,400 |
89,300 |
1.0% |
0.2% |
|
Total Employment |
85,400 |
84,100 |
85,100 |
1.2% |
-0.4% |
|
Unemployment |
3,700 |
4,300 |
4,200 |
-2.3% |
13.5% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.2 |
4.8 |
4.7 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
UPPER PENINSULA LMA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(15 counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
138,000 |
138,000 |
136,400 |
-1.2% |
-1.2% |
|
Total Employment |
130,600 |
131,200 |
128,900 |
-1.8% |
-1.3% |
|
Unemployment |
7,400 |
6,800 |
7,500 |
10.3% |
1.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.4 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, |
|||||
|
Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, |
|||||
|
Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
81,500 |
82,000 |
81,300 |
-0.9% |
-0.2% |
|
Total Employment |
76,300 |
77,300 |
75,800 |
-1.9% |
-0.7% |
|
Unemployment |
5,200 |
4,700 |
5,500 |
17.0% |
5.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.3 |
5.7 |
6.8 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie, |
|||||
|
Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, |
|||||
|
Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
146,400 |
148,000 |
146,600 |
-0.9% |
0.1% |
|
Total Employment |
139,900 |
141,500 |
139,600 |
-1.3% |
-0.2% |
|
Unemployment |
6,500 |
6,500 |
7,000 |
7.7% |
7.7% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.8 |
||
|
Contact: Brandon Betz, Regional DTMB Economic Analyst (517) 335-3875 |
|||||
|
Nov-16 |
Oct-17 |
Nov-17 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MICHIGAN (Data in thousands) |
month |
year |
|||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
4,846 |
4,862 |
4,870 |
0.2% |
0.5% |
|
Total Employment |
4,643 |
4,656 |
4,677 |
0.5% |
0.7% |
|
Unemployment |
203 |
206 |
193 |
-6.3% |
-4.9% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.2 |
4.2 |
4.0 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE NOVEMBER 2017 |
||||||
|
1 |
Livingston County |
2.8 |
43 |
Van Buren County |
4.8 |
|
|
2 |
Oakland County |
3.0 |
44 |
Wexford County |
4.8 |
|
|
3 |
Ottawa County |
3.1 |
45 |
Charlevoix County |
4.9 |
|
|
4 |
Washtenaw County |
3.1 |
46 |
Mecosta County |
4.9 |
|
|
5 |
Kent County |
3.2 |
47 |
Muskegon County |
4.9 |
|
|
6 |
Clinton County |
3.3 |
48 |
Houghton County |
5.0 |
|
|
7 |
Allegan County |
3.3 |
49 |
Alpena County |
5.0 |
|
|
8 |
Barry County |
3.5 |
50 |
Mason County |
5.1 |
|
|
9 |
Ionia County |
3.5 |
51 |
Genesee county |
5.1 |
|
|
10 |
Eaton County |
3.6 |
52 |
Tuscola County |
5.2 |
|
|
11 |
Macomb County |
3.6 |
53 |
Benzie County |
5.3 |
|
|
12 |
St. Joseph County |
3.6 |
54 |
Gogebic County |
5.3 |
|
|
13 |
Grand Traverse County |
3.7 |
55 |
Iron County |
5.4 |
|
|
14 |
Kalamazoo County |
3.7 |
56 |
Delta County |
5.4 |
|
|
15 |
Ingham County |
3.9 |
57 |
Otsego County |
5.5 |
|
|
16 |
Lenawee County |
3.9 |
58 |
Manistee County |
5.6 |
|
|
17 |
Monroe County |
3.9 |
59 |
Gladwin County |
5.7 |
|
|
18 |
St. Clair County |
4.0 |
60 |
Clare County |
6.0 |
|
|
19 |
Branch County |
4.0 |
61 |
Kalkaska County |
6.0 |
|
|
20 |
Isabella County |
4.0 |
62 |
Antrim County |
6.1 |
|
|
21 |
Huron County |
4.1 |
63 |
Baraga County |
6.1 |
|
|
22 |
Lapeer County |
4.1 |
64 |
Luce County |
6.1 |
|
|
23 |
Leelanau County |
4.1 |
65 |
Oceana County |
6.1 |
|
|
24 |
Jackson County |
4.1 |
66 |
Emmet County |
6.2 |
|
|
25 |
Midland County |
4.1 |
67 |
Chippewa County |
6.3 |
|
|
26 |
Hillsdale County |
4.2 |
68 |
Ogemaw County |
6.4 |
|
|
27 |
Montcalm County |
4.3 |
69 |
Crawford County |
6.5 |
|
|
28 |
Newaygo County |
4.3 |
70 |
Iosco County |
6.6 |
|
|
29 |
Dickinson County |
4.3 |
71 |
Lake County |
6.9 |
|
|
30 |
Menominee County |
4.3 |
72 |
Alcona County |
7.1 |
|
|
31 |
Cass County |
4.3 |
73 |
Arenac County |
7.2 |
|
|
32 |
Shiawassee County |
4.3 |
74 |
Oscoda County |
7.2 |
|
|
33 |
Gratiot County |
4.4 |
75 |
Roscommon County |
7.3 |
|
|
34 |
Calhoun County |
4.4 |
76 |
Presque Isle County |
7.4 |
|
|
35 |
Wayne County |
4.5 |
77 |
Schoolcraft County |
7.4 |
|
|
36 |
Bay County |
4.5 |
78 |
Ontonagon County |
8.4 |
|
|
37 |
Berrien county |
4.5 |
79 |
Alger County |
8.5 |
|
|
38 |
Sanilac County |
4.7 |
80 |
Keweenaw County |
8.8 |
|
|
39 |
Marquette County |
4.7 |
81 |
Montmorency County |
9.5 |
|
|
40 |
Saginaw County |
4.7 |
82 |
Cheboygan County |
9.7 |
|
|
41 |
Missaukee County |
4.8 |
83 |
Mackinac County |
10.5 |
|
|
42 |
Osceola County |
4.8 |
||||
