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Michigan regional unemployment rates increase in June

LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates rose in 14 of Michigan’s 18 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

“Michigan regional labor markets saw typical June unemployment rate increases,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “June nonfarm employment increased across the state.”

Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 4.5 to 7.3 percent in June, with a median rate gain of 0.3 percentage points. The largest rate increase occurred in the Battle Creek metropolitan statistical area (MSA), with a jobless rate gain of half a percentage point. Jobless rates decreased over the month in the Detroit MSA, the Northeast Lower Michigan region, and the Upper Peninsula. The Northwest Lower Michigan unemployment rate has remained unchanged since May.  

Seventeen Michigan labor market areas exhibited unemployment rate gains over the year, with a median rate increase of 0.8 percentage points. The Muskegon metro area demonstrated the largest over-the-year rate gain of 1.2 percentage points. The Detroit metro area was the only region to demonstrate a jobless rate reduction since June 2024 (-0.4 percentage points).

Total employment down over month and year

Total employment receded in 13 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 1.1 percent. The most pronounced employment reduction occurred in the Lansing MSA (-3.2 percent).

Sixteen Michigan regions demonstrated employment reductions over the year, with a median decrease of 2.5 percent. Employment rose in the Detroit metro area and the Northeast Lower Michigan region since June 2024.

Regional labor force levels down over month and year

Regional workforce levels fell in 13 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.8 percent. The largest labor force decline occurred in the Lansing MSA (-2.8 percent).

Regional labor force levels receded in 15 regions over the year, with a median reduction of 1.6 percent. Two Michigan labor market areas demonstrated workforce increases over the year, and the labor force remained unchanged in the Upper Peninsula region since June 2024.  

Regional payroll jobs advance in June

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll employment rose by 15,000, or 0.3 percent, during June. Seasonal employment increases in the leisure and hospitality (+18,000) and construction (+5,000) industries were partially offset by seasonal declines in several sectors, most notably the government industry (-14,000).

Payroll jobs rose in 11 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median gain of 0.7 percent. The largest over-the-month employment increase occurred in the Traverse City MSA (+2.9 percent).  

Michigan total nonfarm employment advanced by 38,000, or 0.8 percent, over the year. Ten metro areas demonstrated payroll employment gains since June 2024, with a median increase of 0.8 percent.

County unemployment rates up over month and year

Forty-six Michigan counties exhibited unemployment rate advances over the month, with a median increase of 0.3 percentage points. Jobless rates rose in 74 Michigan counties since June 2024.

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 May workforce estimates for Michigan and its 18 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for May.     

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

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