December 16, 2025
LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates decreased in 17 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 demonstrated typical unemployment rate declines during September,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Seasonal hiring for the start of the school semester contributed to regional payroll job gains over the month.”
Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 3.7 to 5.7 percent in September, with a median rate reduction of 1.1 percentage points. The largest rate decrease occurred in the Monroe metropolitan statistical area (MSA), with an unemployment rate decline of 1.6 percentage points. The Detroit MSA was the only region to demonstrate a jobless rate gain over the month (+0.5 percentage points).
Eleven Michigan labor market areas exhibited unemployment rate declines over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.2 percentage points. Four regions demonstrated jobless rate gains over the year, and unemployment rates in the Ann Arbor, Bay City, and Kalamazoo MSAs remained unchanged since September 2024.
Total employment up over month, down over year
Total employment rose in 14 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.3 percent. Employment fell in the Northwest Lower Michigan region and the Detroit and Traverse City MSAs and remained unchanged in the Northeast Lower Michigan region.
Fifteen Michigan regions displayed employment reductions over the year, with a median decrease of 1.0 percent. Employment rose in the Upper Peninsula, Northeast Lower Michigan region, and the Lansing metro area since September 2024.
Regional labor force levels mixed over month, down over year
Regional workforce totals receded in 10 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.4 percent. The most pronounced labor force decline occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (-2.2 percent). Eight Michigan regions demonstrated workforce gains, with a median increase of half a percent.
Regional labor force levels fell in 15 regions over the year, with a median reduction of 0.9 percent. The largest over-the-year labor force decrease occurred in the Monroe MSA (-1.6 percent).
Regional payroll employment increases in September
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs rose by 15,000, or 0.3 percent, during September. The largest over-the-month industry gain occurred in the government sector (+42,000), as hiring occurred for the fall semester at local schools and universities.
Nonfarm employment rose in 11 of Michigan’s 15 metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.7 percent. The largest over-the-month employment gain occurred in the Lansing MSA (+3.2 percent).
Michigan total nonfarm employment advanced by 41,000, or 0.9 percent, over the year. Thirteen metro areas demonstrated payroll job gains since September 2024, with a median increase of 1.1 percent.
County unemployment rates down over month and year
Seventy-seven Michigan counties displayed unemployment rate declines over the month, with a median rate reduction of 1.1 percentage points. Jobless rates fell in 63 Michigan 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 September workforce estimates for Michigan and its 18 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for September.
Note to editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”
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