March 28, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2019
Caleb Buhs, buhsc@michigan.gov or 517-303-4038
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in the state’s 17 major labor market areas decreased over the month, according to data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment in February advanced in all regions, and workforce levels rose in most areas.
“Michigan’s February regional labor markets showed distinct monthly seasonal trends,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Seasonal job increases occurred in local schools and state universities as students returned from holiday break. Recalls also occurred in February among auto workers on temporary layoff.”
February regional jobless rate declines ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 percentage points with a median decrease of four-tenths of a percentage point. Notable over-the-month rate cuts occurred in the Lansing-East Lansing Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (-0.7) and the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA (-0.6).
Jobless Rates Decrease Over Year
Since February 2018, unemployment rates fell in all 17 labor market areas. Over-the-year rate reductions ranged from 0.6 to 1.8 percentage points. The Northeast Lower Michigan Region and the Northwest Lower Michigan Region exhibited the largest jobless rate declines of 1.8 and 1.4 percentage points, respectively.
Total Employment Up Over Month and Year
Between January and February 2019, total employment advanced in all labor market regions. Monthly gains ranged from 0.6 to 3.3 percent with a notable median increase of 1.3 percent. The largest seasonal employment additions occurred in the Upper Peninsula (+3.3%) and the Lansing-East Lansing MSA (+2.2%) and were partially education-related. Over the year, total employment rose in 16 labor market areas. Increases ranged from 0.2 to 2.5 percent with a prominent median advance of 1.3 percent. The largest over-the-year employment increases occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan Region (+2.5%) and Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA (+2.1%).
|
NOTE: Labor force, employment, and unemployment data for all months of 2018 have been recently revised. Revised data will be released in coming weeks for 2014-2017. Payroll job data for all industries was revised for 2017 and 2018, and for certain industries back to 1990. For newly published estimates, go to Michigan.gov/LMI. |
Labor Force Levels Up Over Month, Mixed Over Year
Over the month, workforce levels rose in 16 of Michigan’s 17 labor market regions. Labor force gains ranged from 0.2 to 2.7 percent. The largest over-the-month labor force advances occurred in the Upper Peninsula (+2.7%) and the Ann Arbor metro area (+1.8%). The Detroit MSA was the only area to exhibit no change in labor force over the month.
Since February 2018, workforce levels rose in eight regions, declined in eight regions, and remained unchanged in the Flint MSA. Grand Rapids-Wyoming exhibited the largest over-the-year labor force increase (+1.3%) while Midland demonstrated the most pronounced workforce decline (-1.2%).
February Payroll Jobs Up Over Month and Year
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan rose by 22,000, or 0.5 percent, since January to 4,387,000. Over-the-month nonfarm job gains were primarily due to increases in Government (+17,000) and Manufacturing (+9,000). Government sector job gains occurred in the subsectors State government educational services (+9,000) and Local government educational services (+8,000) as students returned to schools and colleges following holiday break. Job additions in Manufacturing primarily reflected recalls in the auto industry following January layoff activity.
In February, payroll jobs rose in 12 of the state’s 14 metro regions. Metro area job gains ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 percent with the largest percentage advances reported in the Ann Arbor (+1.5%) and Lansing-East Lansing (+1.2%) MSAs. Payroll jobs edged down in Bay City (-0.9%) and remained unchanged in the Saginaw metro area.
Since February 2018, unadjusted nonfarm jobs rose statewide by 38,000, or 0.9 percent. Nine Michigan regions advanced in employment over this period, led on a percentage basis by Monroe (+2.0%). Four areas receded in payroll employment over the year, and Midland’s job level remained unchanged.
County Jobless Rates Down Over Month and Year
Eighty of Michigan’s 83 counties reported jobless rate declines in February while three remained flat over the month. Since February 2018, unemployment rates moved down in 82 counties.
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 and Budget.”
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
ANN ARBOR MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Washtenaw County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
197,100 |
192,400 |
195,900 |
1.8% |
-0.6% |
|
Total Employment |
190,700 |
186,800 |
190,600 |
2.0% |
-0.1% |
|
Unemployment |
6,400 |
5,600 |
5,300 |
-5.4% |
-17.2% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.3 |
2.9 |
2.7 |
|
|
Contact: Marcus Reason, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-335-8341
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
BATTLE CREEK MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Calhoun County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
63,200 |
62,600 |
63,500 |
1.4% |
0.5% |
|
Total Employment |
60,000 |
59,800 |
60,900 |
1.8% |
1.5% |
|
Unemployment |
3,200 |
2,700 |
2,600 |
-3.7% |
-18.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.1 |
4.4 |
4.1 |
|
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-841-5634
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
BAY CITY MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Bay County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
50,800 |
50,300 |
50,400 |
0.2% |
-0.8% |
|
Total Employment |
47,600 |
47,500 |
47,800 |
0.6% |
0.4% |
|
Unemployment |
3,200 |
2,900 |
2,600 |
-10.3% |
-18.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.3 |
5.7 |
5.2 |
|
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-241-8272
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
DETROIT-WARREN-DEARBORN MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Data in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, Livingston, St. Clair counties) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
2,120 |
2,146 |
2,146 |
0.0% |
1.2% |
|
Total Employment |
2,021 |
2,047 |
2,060 |
0.6% |
1.9% |
|
Unemployment |
99 |
99 |
86 |
-13.1% |
-13.1% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.7 |
4.6 |
4.0 |
|
|
Contact: Shibani Putatunda, DTMB Economic Analyst 313-456-3145
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
FLINT MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Genesee County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
183,000 |
182,200 |
183,000 |
0.4% |
0.0% |
|
Total Employment |
172,100 |
172,300 |
174,000 |
1.0% |
1.1% |
|
Unemployment |
10,900 |
9,900 |
9,000 |
-9.1% |
-17.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.0 |
5.4 |
4.9 |
|
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-241-8272
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
GRAND RAPIDS-WYOMING MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Barry, Kent, Montcalm, Ottawa counties) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
581,000 |
582,700 |
588,700 |
1.0% |
1.3% |
|
Total Employment |
559,900 |
564,600 |
571,700 |
1.3% |
2.1% |
|
Unemployment |
21,100 |
18,100 |
16,900 |
-6.6% |
-19.9% |
|
Rate (percent) |
3.6 |
3.1 |
2.9 |
|
|
Contact: Nick Gandhi, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-335-3875
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
JACKSON MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Jackson County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
74,800 |
74,000 |
74,900 |
1.2% |
0.1% |
|
Total Employment |
71,200 |
70,900 |
72,000 |
1.6% |
1.1% |
|
Unemployment |
3,600 |
3,100 |
2,900 |
-6.5% |
-19.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.8 |
4.2 |
3.9 |
|
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-841-5634
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
KALAMAZOO-PORTAGE MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Kalamazoo, Van Buren counties) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
169,700 |
168,100 |
170,500 |
1.4% |
0.5% |
|
Total Employment |
161,800 |
161,600 |
164,400 |
1.7% |
1.6% |
|
Unemployment |
7,900 |
6,600 |
6,100 |
-7.6% |
-22.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.6 |
3.9 |
3.6 |
|
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-841-5634
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
LANSING-EAST LANSING MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Clinton, Eaton, Ingham counties) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
252,700 |
247,400 |
251,100 |
1.5% |
-0.6% |
|
Total Employment |
242,400 |
237,500 |
242,800 |
2.2% |
0.2% |
|
Unemployment |
10,300 |
9,800 |
8,300 |
-15.3% |
-19.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.1 |
4.0 |
3.3 |
|
|
Contact: Marcus Reason, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-335-8341
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
MIDLAND MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Midland County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
40,900 |
40,000 |
40,400 |
1.0% |
-1.2% |
|
Total Employment |
38,700 |
38,300 |
38,800 |
1.3% |
0.3% |
|
Unemployment |
2,100 |
1,700 |
1,600 |
-5.9% |
-23.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.2 |
4.3 |
4.0 |
|
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-241-8272
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
MONROE MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Monroe County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
75,900 |
75,600 |
76,500 |
1.2% |
0.8% |
|
Total Employment |
72,200 |
72,300 |
73,300 |
1.4% |
1.5% |
|
Unemployment |
3,700 |
3,400 |
3,200 |
-5.9% |
-13.5% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.9 |
4.4 |
4.2 |
|
|
Contact: Shibani Putatunda, DTMB Economic Analyst 313-456-3145
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
MUSKEGON MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Muskegon County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
77,800 |
77,800 |
78,400 |
0.8% |
0.8% |
|
Total Employment |
73,500 |
74,200 |
75,000 |
1.1% |
2.0% |
|
Unemployment |
4,300 |
3,600 |
3,300 |
-8.3% |
-23.3% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.5 |
4.6 |
4.2 |
|
|
Contact: Nick Gandhi, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-335-3875
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
NILES-BENTON HARBOR MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Berrien County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
73,200 |
71,900 |
72,700 |
1.1% |
-0.7% |
|
Total Employment |
69,200 |
68,400 |
69,500 |
1.6% |
0.4% |
|
Unemployment |
4,000 |
3,500 |
3,200 |
-8.6% |
-20.0% |
|
Rate (percent) |
5.5 |
4.8 |
4.4 |
|
|
Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-841-5634
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
SAGINAW MSA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Saginaw County) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
87,500 |
86,800 |
87,200 |
0.5% |
-0.3% |
|
Total Employment |
82,300 |
82,000 |
82,800 |
1.0% |
0.6% |
|
Unemployment |
5,200 |
4,900 |
4,400 |
-10.2% |
-15.4% |
|
Rate (percent) |
6.0 |
5.6 |
5.1 |
|
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-241-8272
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
UPPER PENINSULA LMA |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(15 counties) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
139,300 |
134,800 |
138,400 |
2.7% |
-0.6% |
|
Total Employment |
128,800 |
125,600 |
129,800 |
3.3% |
0.8% |
|
Unemployment |
10,500 |
9,200 |
8,700 |
-5.4% |
-17.1% |
|
Rate (percent) |
7.6 |
6.8 |
6.3 |
|
|
Contact: Jeffrey Aula, DTMB Economic Analyst 313-456-3144
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
81,900 |
80,900 |
81,300 |
0.5% |
-0.7% |
|
Total Employment |
73,400 |
73,600 |
74,400 |
1.1% |
1.4% |
|
Unemployment |
8,500 |
7,300 |
6,900 |
-5.5% |
-18.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
10.3 |
9.0 |
8.5 |
|
|
Contact: Evan Linskey, DTMB Economic Analyst 517-241-8272
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force |
146,400 |
146,700 |
147,800 |
0.7% |
1.0% |
|
Total Employment |
136,100 |
138,000 |
139,500 |
1.1% |
2.5% |
|
Unemployment |
10,200 |
8,700 |
8,300 |
-4.6% |
-18.6% |
|
Rate (percent) |
7.0 |
5.9 |
5.6 |
|
|
Contact: Nick Gandhi, DTMB Regional Economic Analyst 517-335-3875
|
|
Feb-18 |
Jan-18 |
Feb-19 |
% change |
% change |
|
MICHIGAN (Data in thousands) |
|
|
|
month |
year |
|
Civilian Labor Force |
4,903 |
4,905 |
4,939 |
0.7% |
0.7% |
|
Total Employment |
4,662 |
4,680 |
4,736 |
1.2% |
1.6% |
|
Unemployment |
241 |
225 |
203 |
-9.8% |
-15.8% |
|
Rate (percent) |
4.9 |
4.6 |
4.1 |
|
|
Contact: Shibani Putatunda, DTMB Economic Analyst 313-456-3145
|
Michigan Counties Ranked By Unemployment Rate - February 2019 |
||||||
|
1 |
Ottawa County |
2.7 |
|
43 |
Mecosta County |
5.2 |
|
2 |
Washtenaw County |
2.7 |
|
44 |
Otsego County |
5.2 |
|
3 |
Kent County |
2.8 |
|
45 |
St. Clair County |
5.2 |
|
4 |
Clinton County |
3.1 |
|
46 |
Gogebic County |
5.5 |
|
5 |
Kalamazoo County |
3.1 |
|
47 |
Marquette County |
5.5 |
|
6 |
Oakland County |
3.1 |
|
48 |
Sanilac County |
5.5 |
|
7 |
Eaton County |
3.3 |
|
49 |
Alpena County |
5.6 |
|
8 |
Allegan County |
3.4 |
|
50 |
Charlevoix County |
5.7 |
|
9 |
Ingham County |
3.4 |
|
51 |
Missaukee County |
5.7 |
|
10 |
Livingston County |
3.4 |
|
52 |
Tuscola County |
5.8 |
|
11 |
Barry County |
3.5 |
|
53 |
Lapeer County |
5.9 |
|
12 |
Ionia County |
3.5 |
|
54 |
Delta County |
6.1 |
|
13 |
Branch County |
3.8 |
|
55 |
Mason County |
6.1 |
|
14 |
St. Joseph County |
3.8 |
|
56 |
Crawford County |
6.3 |
|
15 |
Jackson County |
3.9 |
|
57 |
Iron County |
6.3 |
|
16 |
Hillsdale County |
4.0 |
|
58 |
Baraga County |
6.4 |
|
17 |
Isabella County |
4.0 |
|
59 |
Gladwin County |
6.4 |
|
18 |
Lenawee County |
4.0 |
|
60 |
Antrim County |
6.5 |
|
19 |
Macomb County |
4.0 |
|
61 |
Keweenaw County |
6.5 |
|
20 |
Midland County |
4.0 |
|
62 |
Luce County |
6.7 |
|
21 |
Calhoun County |
4.1 |
|
63 |
Benzie County |
6.8 |
|
22 |
Menominee County |
4.1 |
|
64 |
Manistee County |
6.8 |
|
23 |
Dickinson County |
4.2 |
|
65 |
Ontonagon County |
7.0 |
|
24 |
Grand Traverse County |
4.2 |
|
66 |
Clare County |
7.2 |
|
25 |
Monroe County |
4.2 |
|
67 |
Lake County |
7.2 |
|
26 |
Muskegon County |
4.2 |
|
68 |
Kalkaska County |
7.3 |
|
27 |
Cass County |
4.3 |
|
69 |
Emmet County |
7.4 |
|
28 |
Berrien County |
4.4 |
|
70 |
Iosco County |
7.4 |
|
29 |
Montcalm County |
4.5 |
|
71 |
Chippewa County |
7.5 |
|
30 |
Shiawassee County |
4.6 |
|
72 |
Oscoda County |
7.5 |
|
31 |
Osceola County |
4.7 |
|
73 |
Alcona County |
7.8 |
|
32 |
Wayne County |
4.7 |
|
74 |
Oceana County |
7.8 |
|
33 |
Gratiot County |
4.8 |
|
75 |
Ogemaw County |
8.5 |
|
34 |
Newaygo County |
4.8 |
|
76 |
Schoolcraft County |
8.5 |
|
35 |
Genesee County |
4.9 |
|
77 |
Arenac County |
8.7 |
|
36 |
Houghton County |
5.0 |
|
78 |
Alger County |
9.0 |
|
37 |
Wexford County |
5.0 |
|
79 |
Roscommon County |
9.1 |
|
38 |
Leelanau County |
5.1 |
|
80 |
Montmorency County |
9.7 |
|
39 |
Saginaw County |
5.1 |
|
81 |
Presque Isle County |
10.9 |
|
40 |
Van Buren County |
5.1 |
|
82 |
Cheboygan County |
16.3 |
|
41 |
Bay County |
5.2 |
|
83 |
Mackinac County |
20.0 |
|
42 |
Huron County |
5.2 |
|
|
|
|
