January 15, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates rose in 13 of Michigan’s 18 labor market areas between September and November, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Employment and workforce declines contributed to unemployment rate gains between September and November,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll job trends were mixed over the month.”
Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 4.0 to 6.4 percent in November, with a median rate increase of 0.2 percentage points between September and November. The largest rate gain during this period occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+1.1 percentage points). Three Michigan regions exhibited jobless rate declines between September and November, and unemployment rates remained unchanged in the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) since September.
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October Estimates and the Federal Government Shutdown Household survey: Due to the suspension of federal government services from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, October 2025 employment, labor force, and unemployment data will not be published. Household survey data were not collected for October 2025 and were not collected retroactively. Establishment survey: The collection periods for October and November estimates were extended, which allowed October payroll jobs data to be made available. For more information on how the 2025 federal government shutdown affected data availability, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website. |
Nine Michigan labor market areas demonstrated unemployment rate gains over the year, with a median rate increase of 0.1 percentage points. Seven regions displayed jobless rate reductions over the year, and unemployment rates in the Jackson MSA and the Northwest Lower Michigan region remained unchanged since November 2024.
Total employment down between September and November, down over year
Total employment receded in 17 Michigan labor market areas between September and November, with a median decrease of 1.2 percent. The largest employment reduction during this period occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-4.7 percent).
Sixteen Michigan regions exhibited employment reductions over the year, with a median decrease of 2.7 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland MSA (-3.6 percent).
Regional labor force levels down between September and November, down over year
Regional workforce totals fell in 17 Michigan labor market areas between September and November, with a median decrease of 1.2 percent. The most pronounced labor force decline occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-3.6 percent).
Regional labor force levels also decreased in 17 regions over the year, with a median reduction of 2.5 percent. The largest over-the-year labor force decrease occurred in the Monroe MSA (-4.1 percent).
Regional payroll employment mixed in November
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs fell by 9,000, or 0.2 percent, during November. Seasonal industry reductions occurred in the leisure and hospitality (-16,000) and construction (-7,000) sectors.
Nonfarm employment rose in eight of Michigan’s 15 metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.3 percent. Payroll jobs fell in six areas and remained unchanged in the Jackson MSA since October.
Michigan total nonfarm employment advanced by 39,000, or 0.9 percent, over the year. Eleven metro areas demonstrated payroll job gains since November 2024, with a median increase of 0.9 percent.
County unemployment rates up between September and November, mixed over year
Seventy Michigan counties displayed unemployment rate advances between September and November, with a median rate gain of 0.5 percentage points. Jobless rates fell in 42 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 November workforce estimates for Michigan and its 18 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for November.
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