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Michigan regional jobless rates decline in March

LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates receded in 16 of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics.   

“Michigan regions demonstrated positive labor market trends over the month,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Seasonal jobless rate reductions and payroll job gains occurred throughout most metro areas.”

Regional unemployment rates in the state ranged from 3.1 to 7.8 percent during March, with a median rate decrease of 0.3 percentage points over the month. Rate declines ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 percentage points, with the most pronounced over-the-month reduction occurring in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. The Ann Arbor metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was the only region to exhibit a minor rate gain in March (+0.1 percentage points).

Over the year, 16 Michigan regions experienced unemployment rate decreases, with a median rate reduction of 0.5 percentage points. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA was the only region to exhibit a rate increase since March 2023 (+0.4 percentage points).

Total employment up over month and year

All 17 Michigan regions demonstrated employment gains over the month, with a median increase of 1.3 percent. The largest over-the-month employment gain occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+1.6 percent).

Employment advanced in all 17 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 2.8 percent. The largest over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Monroe MSA (+4.3 percent).

Regional labor force levels up over month and year

Labor force levels rose in all 17 Michigan regions over the month, with a median increase of 1.1 percent. The largest over-the-month workforce increase occurred in the Ann Arbor MSA (+1.3 percent).

Michigan workforce levels rose in all 17 regions over the year, with a median increase of 2.2 percent.

Regional payroll jobs increase during March

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 18,000, or 0.4 percent, over the month. The most pronounced over-the-month employment gains were seen in the construction (+7,000), leisure and hospitality (+3,000), and government (+3,000) industries.

Payroll jobs rose in 13 Michigan metro areas during March, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The largest nonfarm employment gain occurred in the Midland MSA (+0.8 percent).

Michigan total nonfarm jobs advanced by 38,000, or 0.9 percent, over the year. Eleven metro areas demonstrated payroll employment gains, led by the Monroe MSA (+4.1 percent).

County jobless rates down over month and year

Seventy-six Michigan counties exhibited unemployment rate reductions over the month, with a median decrease of 0.4 percentage points. Over the year, unemployment rates declined in 75 counties.

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 March workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for March.     

Note to editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”

 

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