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Michigan regional jobless rates fall in November
December 28, 2023
LANSING, Mich. -- Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Employment expanded in most regional labor markets during November,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs generally rose in retail trade and declined in leisure and hospitality across Michigan metro areas.”
Regional November unemployment rates ranged from 2.6 to 5.0 percent. Sixteen labor market areas displayed rate declines, with a median decrease of 0.7 percentage points. The Northeast Lower Michigan region was the only Michigan labor market area to display a minor seasonal uptick in jobless rate during November (+0.1 percentage points).
Sixteen Michigan labor market areas demonstrated jobless rate declines over the year, with a median rate reduction of 0.6 percentage points. The Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA) jobless rate advanced by 0.8 percentage points since November 2022.
Regional employment up over month and year
Thirteen Michigan regions demonstrated employment increases over the month, with a median increase of 1.7 percent. The largest over-the-month employment increase of 2.0 percent was seen in the Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, and Saginaw MSAs. Four labor market areas exhibited employment reductions in November, led by the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-1.5 percent).
Total employment advanced in all 17 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 6.1 percent. The largest over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Ann Arbor metro area (+8.0 percent).
Regional workforce levels up over month and year
Workforce totals rose in 13 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.0 percent. Four Michigan regions displayed labor force decreases in November, led by the Lansing MSA (-2.1 percent).
All 17 Michigan labor market areas demonstrated workforce increases over the year, with a median increase of 5.5 percent.
Regional nonfarm jobs increase in November
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment edged down slightly by 4,000 over the month, or 0.1 percent, resulting in a payroll job total of 4,456,000 in November. November industry movements were largely seasonal, with the most pronounced decrease seen in the leisure and hospitality sector (-19,000).
Eight Michigan metro areas demonstrated employment gains over the month, with a median increase of 0.2 percent. Payroll jobs fell in four metro areas over the month and remained unchanged in the Bay City and Midland MSAs.
Michigan payroll employment rose by 26,000, or 0.6 percent, over the year. Twelve metro areas exhibited employment increases since November 2022, with a median increase of 1.1 percent.
County unemployment rates down over month and year
Sixty-five Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate decreases between October and November. Jobless rates fell in 76 counties over the year.
For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.
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 not seasonally adjusted October workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for October.
Note to editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”
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