March 29, 2018
Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in the state’s 17 major labor market areas recorded mostly minor changes in February, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and workforce levels rose in all areas over the month.
“Michigan’s regional labor markets in February were steady. Local area jobless rates logged only marginal changes of 0.2 of a percentage point or less in 12 of the state’s major regions,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. “However, payroll job counts moved upward in nearly all metropolitan areas over the month.”
During February, unemployment rates increased in eight regions, declined in five areas, and were unchanged in the remaining four. Rate advances ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 of a percentage point with the only notable increases recorded in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+0.7), the Upper Peninsula (+0.6) and the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+0.5). Jobless rate gains in the remaining five areas were limited to 0.2 of a percentage point or less. The most pronounced over-the-month jobless rate reductions were posted in the Lansing-East Lansing Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA, with rates declining by 0.6 and 0.3 of a percentage point respectively. In February, regional unemployment rates in Michigan ranged from 3.6 to 11.3 percent. The February Michigan non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 5.2 percent, while the national unadjusted rate was 4.4 percent.
Unemployment Rates Stable Over the Year
Since February 2017, unemployment rates declined in seven regions, increased in seven areas and were unchanged in the remaining three. Over-the-year rate reductions were limited to 0.2 of a percentage point or less apart from the 0.6 of a percentage point drop in the Detroit-Warren Dearborn MSA. Rate hikes over this period were restricted to 0.2 of a percentage point or less.
Total Employment Up Over Month, Year
From January to February, total employment levels rose seasonally in all 17 regions. Employment gains ranged from 0.3 to 2.1 percent with a solid median advance of 1.3 percent. The largest over-the-month increases were registered in the Lansing-East Lansing (+2.1%) and Ann Arbor (+1.9%) MSAs.
Since February 2017, total employment rose in 13 regions with additions ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 percent. The median advance over this period was 0.7 percent. The largest over-the-year gains were displayed in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA (+1.5%), the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+1.3%) and the Ann Arbor metro area (+1.1%). Employment reductions over the year were recorded in the Battle Creek (-1.0%), Midland (-1.0%) and Saginaw (-0.6%) MSAs. Total employment was essentially unchanged in the Bay City area since February 2017.
Note: Labor force, employment, and unemployment data for all 12 months of 2017 have been recently revised. Payroll job data for all industries was revised for 2016 and 2017, and for certain industries back to 1990. Estimates for January and February 2018 are not comparable to previously released data. For newly revised estimates, go to www.michigan.gov/lmi or call 313-456-3090.
Labor Force Levels Up Over Month, Year
Between January and February, workforce levels increased seasonally in all 17 regions, with advances ranging from 0.6 to 2.3 percent.
Since February 2017, labor force levels rose in 12 state regions. The largest workforce gains over this period were reported in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA (+1.6%), the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+1.2%) and the Ann Arbor MSA (+1.0%). Four regions recorded labor force reductions over the year ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 percent, while the workforce in the Upper Peninsula was unchanged.
February Payroll Jobs Up Seasonally
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan rose by 32,000 or 1.2 percent in February to 4,349,000. Over-the-month payroll job gains were led by increases in Government (+13,000), Professional and business services (+8,000) and Education and health services (+8,000). Lesser job additions were posted in Leisure and hospitality services (+4,000) and Manufacturing (+3,000). The only notable job reduction in February was recorded in Trade, transportation and utilities (-6,000).
Within the Government sector, jobs in State government education (+8,000) and Local government education (+5,000) advanced seasonally due to the continued return of students to colleges, universities and local schools following the holiday break. Job gains in Education and health services were primarily due to a seasonal increase in Private education (+7,000).
In February, payroll jobs were up in 13 of the state’s 14 metro regions. Metro area job gains ranged from 0.3 to 1.9 percent with the largest percentage advances reported in the Ann Arbor (+1.9%) and Lansing-East Lansing (+1.8%) MSAs. Payroll jobs were down slightly in the Muskegon MSA (-0.3%).
Since February 2017, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs rose statewide by 51,000 or 1.2 percent. Eleven of Michigan’s 14 major metro regions recorded over-the-year job additions ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 percent with a median gain that matched the statewide increase of 1.2 percent. The largest metro job increases since February 2017 were posted in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming (+2.1%), Monroe (+1.9%) and Ann Arbor (+1.7%) MSAs. Metro region job reductions over this period were registered in the Midland (-1.4%), Battle Creek (-0.9%) and Saginaw (-0.3%) MSAs.
County Jobless Rates Up Over Month, Down Over Year
Fifty-one of Michigan’s 83 counties reported mostly minor jobless rate hikes in February while 22 counties showed moderate rate reductions. The rates in the remaining 10 counties were flat. Since February 2017, unemployment rates declined in 47 counties, rose in 22 counties and were unchanged in 14. Most over-the-year county rate changes were small.
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 February workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for February.
Note to Editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
ANN ARBOR MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Washtenaw County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
193,300 |
191,700 |
195,300 |
1.9% |
1.0% |
|
Total Employment |
186,300 |
184,700 |
188,300 |
1.9% |
1.1% |
|
Unemployment |
7,000 |
7,000 |
7,100 |
1.4% |
1.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.6 |
3.6 |
3.6 |
||
|
Contact: Marcus Reason, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 335-8341 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
BATTLE CREEK MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Calhoun County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
64,100 |
62,700 |
63,600 |
1.4% |
-0.8% |
|
Total Employment |
60,600 |
59,300 |
60,000 |
1.2% |
-1.0% |
|
Unemployment |
3,500 |
3,400 |
3,600 |
5.9% |
2.9% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.4 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
BAY CITY MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Bay County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
51,300 |
50,800 |
51,200 |
0.8% |
-0.2% |
|
Total Employment |
47,700 |
47,400 |
47,700 |
0.6% |
0.0% |
|
Unemployment |
3,500 |
3,400 |
3,500 |
2.9% |
0.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.9 |
6.8 |
6.8 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
DETROIT-WARREN-DEARBORN MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Data in thousands) |
|||||
|
(Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, |
|||||
|
Livingston, St. Clair counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
2,097 |
2,082 |
2,099 |
0.8% |
0.1% |
|
Total Employment |
1,989 |
1,981 |
2,002 |
1.1% |
0.7% |
|
Unemployment |
108 |
101 |
98 |
-3.0% |
-9.3% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.2 |
4.9 |
4.6 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
FLINT MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Genesee County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
182,100 |
181,200 |
182,900 |
0.9% |
0.4% |
|
Total Employment |
170,200 |
169,200 |
170,900 |
1.0% |
0.4% |
|
Unemployment |
12,000 |
12,000 |
12,000 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.5 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Barry, Kent, Montcalm, Ottawa counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
569,100 |
570,100 |
578,400 |
1.5% |
1.6% |
|
Total Employment |
547,300 |
547,400 |
555,300 |
1.4% |
1.5% |
|
Unemployment |
21,700 |
22,700 |
23,100 |
1.8% |
6.5% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.8 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
||
|
Contact: Brandon Betz, Regional DTMB Economic Analyst (517) 335-3875 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
JACKSON MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Jackson County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
74,400 |
74,000 |
74,900 |
1.2% |
0.7% |
|
Total Employment |
70,300 |
70,000 |
71,000 |
1.4% |
1.0% |
|
Unemployment |
4,100 |
4,000 |
4,000 |
0.0% |
-2.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.5 |
5.4 |
5.3 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
KALAMAZOO - PORTAGE MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
168,900 |
167,000 |
169,500 |
1.5% |
0.4% |
|
Total Employment |
160,600 |
158,700 |
160,800 |
1.3% |
0.1% |
|
Unemployment |
8,400 |
8,400 |
8,700 |
3.6% |
3.6% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.0 |
5.0 |
5.1 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
LANSING - EAST LANSING MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
251,200 |
249,500 |
253,200 |
1.5% |
0.8% |
|
Total Employment |
240,100 |
236,900 |
241,900 |
2.1% |
0.7% |
|
Unemployment |
11,100 |
12,600 |
11,300 |
-10.3% |
1.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.4 |
5.1 |
4.5 |
||
|
Contact: Marcus Reason, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 335-8341 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MIDLAND MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Midland County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
40,700 |
39,800 |
40,300 |
1.3% |
-1.0% |
|
Total Employment |
38,400 |
37,500 |
38,000 |
1.3% |
-1.0% |
|
Unemployment |
2,300 |
2,300 |
2,300 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.7 |
5.7 |
5.8 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MONROE MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Monroe County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
76,200 |
75,600 |
76,600 |
1.3% |
0.5% |
|
Total Employment |
72,200 |
71,600 |
72,500 |
1.3% |
0.4% |
|
Unemployment |
4,000 |
4,000 |
4,100 |
2.5% |
2.5% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.3 |
5.3 |
5.3 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MUSKEGON MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Muskegon County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
77,200 |
77,300 |
77,800 |
0.6% |
0.8% |
|
Total Employment |
72,600 |
72,700 |
73,100 |
0.6% |
0.7% |
|
Unemployment |
4,600 |
4,500 |
4,700 |
4.4% |
2.2% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.0 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
||
|
Contact: Brandon Betz, Regional DTMB Economic Analyst (517) 335-3875 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
NILES - BENTON HARBOR MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Berrien County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
73,300 |
72,200 |
73,600 |
1.9% |
0.4% |
|
Total Employment |
68,900 |
68,100 |
69,200 |
1.6% |
0.4% |
|
Unemployment |
4,300 |
4,200 |
4,400 |
4.8% |
2.3% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.9 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
||
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
SAGINAW MSA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Saginaw County) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
88,100 |
86,600 |
87,700 |
1.3% |
-0.5% |
|
Total Employment |
82,400 |
80,900 |
81,900 |
1.2% |
-0.6% |
|
Unemployment |
5,700 |
5,700 |
5,700 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.5 |
6.6 |
6.5 |
||
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst (517) 241-8272 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
UPPER PENINSULA LMA |
month |
year |
|||
|
(15 counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
139,800 |
136,600 |
139,800 |
2.3% |
0.0% |
|
Total Employment |
127,900 |
126,000 |
128,100 |
1.7% |
0.2% |
|
Unemployment |
11,900 |
10,600 |
11,600 |
9.4% |
-2.5% |
|
Rate (percent) |
8.5 |
7.7 |
8.3 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, |
|||||
|
Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, |
|||||
|
Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
82,400 |
82,100 |
82,900 |
1.0% |
0.6% |
|
Total Employment |
73,000 |
73,400 |
73,600 |
0.3% |
0.8% |
|
Unemployment |
9,400 |
8,700 |
9,300 |
6.9% |
-1.1% |
|
Rate (percent) |
11.4 |
10.6 |
11.3 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN |
month |
year |
|||
|
(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie, |
|||||
|
Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, |
|||||
|
Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties) |
|||||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
147,000 |
147,400 |
148,700 |
0.9% |
1.2% |
|
Total Employment |
135,700 |
137,000 |
137,400 |
0.3% |
1.3% |
|
Unemployment |
11,300 |
10,500 |
11,300 |
7.6% |
0.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
7.7 |
7.1 |
7.6 |
||
|
Contact: Brandon Betz, Regional DTMB Economic Analyst (517) 335-3875 |
|||||
|
Feb-17 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
% change |
% change |
|
|
MICHIGAN (Data in thousands) |
month |
year |
|||
|
Civilian Labor Force |
4,867 |
4,833 |
4,889 |
1.2% |
0.5% |
|
Total Employment |
4,603 |
4,578 |
4,634 |
1.2% |
0.7% |
|
Unemployment |
264 |
255 |
254 |
-0.4% |
-3.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.4 |
5.3 |
5.2 |
||
|
Contact: Jim Rhein, DTMB Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095 |
|||||
|
MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FEBRUARY 2018 |
|||||||
|
1 |
Oakland County |
3.6 |
43 |
Huron County |
6.9 |
||
|
2 |
Washtenaw County |
3.6 |
44 |
Leelanau County |
7.2 |
||
|
3 |
Ottawa County |
3.8 |
45 |
Mecosta County |
7.2 |
||
|
4 |
Kent County |
3.9 |
46 |
Marquette County |
7.2 |
||
|
5 |
Livingston County |
3.9 |
47 |
Alpena County |
7.3 |
||
|
6 |
St. Joseph County |
4.1 |
48 |
Otsego County |
7.4 |
||
|
7 |
Clinton County |
4.2 |
49 |
Van Buren County |
7.6 |
||
|
8 |
Eaton County |
4.4 |
50 |
Sanilac County |
7.7 |
||
|
9 |
Kalamazoo County |
4.4 |
51 |
Mason County |
7.7 |
||
|
10 |
Macomb County |
4.4 |
52 |
Tuscola County |
7.9 |
||
|
11 |
Ingham County |
4.6 |
53 |
Charlevoix County |
8.1 |
||
|
12 |
Ionia County |
4.6 |
54 |
Missaukee County |
8.1 |
||
|
13 |
Barry County |
4.8 |
55 |
Delta County |
8.2 |
||
|
14 |
Allegan County |
4.8 |
56 |
Luce County |
8.3 |
||
|
15 |
Branch County |
4.9 |
57 |
Gladwin County |
8.4 |
||
|
16 |
Hillsdale County |
5.1 |
58 |
Keweenaw County |
8.5 |
||
|
17 |
Lenawee County |
5.2 |
59 |
Baraga County |
8.7 |
||
|
18 |
Jackson County |
5.3 |
60 |
Iron County |
8.7 |
||
|
19 |
Monroe County |
5.3 |
61 |
Crawford County |
8.8 |
||
|
20 |
Wayne County |
5.5 |
62 |
Antrim County |
8.9 |
||
|
21 |
Cass County |
5.5 |
63 |
Clare County |
8.9 |
||
|
22 |
Isabella County |
5.5 |
64 |
Benzie County |
9.0 |
||
|
23 |
Grand Traverse County |
5.6 |
65 |
Manistee County |
9.0 |
||
|
24 |
Dickinson County |
5.6 |
66 |
Oscoda County |
9.3 |
||
|
25 |
Menominee County |
5.6 |
67 |
Alcona County |
9.5 |
||
|
26 |
Calhoun County |
5.6 |
68 |
Kalkaska County |
9.7 |
||
|
27 |
St. Clair County |
5.7 |
69 |
Iosco County |
10.0 |
||
|
28 |
Midland County |
5.8 |
70 |
Ontonagon County |
10.0 |
||
|
29 |
Berrien County |
6.0 |
71 |
Emmet County |
10.1 |
||
|
30 |
Montcalm County |
6.1 |
72 |
Lake County |
10.1 |
||
|
31 |
Gogebic County |
6.1 |
73 |
Oceana County |
10.3 |
||
|
32 |
Shiawassee County |
6.1 |
74 |
Chippewa County |
10.5 |
||
|
33 |
Muskegon County |
6.1 |
75 |
Ogemaw County |
11.0 |
||
|
34 |
Newaygo County |
6.2 |
76 |
Schoolcraft County |
11.3 |
||
|
35 |
Gratiot county |
6.3 |
77 |
Alger County |
11.5 |
||
|
36 |
Genesee County |
6.5 |
78 |
Arenac County |
11.7 |
||
|
37 |
Saginaw County |
6.5 |
79 |
Roscommon County |
12.0 |
||
|
38 |
Lapeer County |
6.7 |
80 |
Montmorency County |
14.1 |
||
|
39 |
Osceola County |
6.7 |
81 |
Presque Isle County |
14.7 |
||
|
40 |
Wexford County |
6.7 |
82 |
Cheboygan County |
20.9 |
||
|
41 |
Bay County |
6.8 |
83 |
Mackinac County |
24.2 |
||
|
42 |
Houghton County |
6.9 |
|||||
