January 29, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates rose in 11 of Michigan’s 18 labor market areas in December, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Most Michigan regional labor markets exhibited prominent employment decreases both over the month and over the year. Unemployment rates advanced in most areas in December but were down from the previous year” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs also receded over the month.”
Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 3.7 to 7.6 percent in December, with a median rate increase of 0.3 percentage points. The largest rate gain occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+1.2 percentage points). Three Michigan regions demonstrated unemployment rate declines over the month, and unemployment rates remained unchanged in the Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Muskegon metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) since November.
Seventeen Michigan labor market areas exhibited unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.4 percentage points. The jobless rate in the Detroit metro region remained unchanged since December 2024.
Total employment down over month and year
Total employment receded in 17 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 2.1 percent. The Upper Peninsula exhibited the largest over-the-month employment decline (-3.4 percent).
Seventeen Michigan regions also demonstrated employment reductions over the year, with a median decrease of 3.6 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland MSA (-4.8 percent).
Regional workforce levels down over month and year
Regional labor force totals fell in 17 Michigan labor market areas during December, with a median decrease of 1.9 percent. The largest workforce decline occurred in the Kalamazoo MSA (-2.7 percent).
Regional workforce levels also decreased in 17 regions over the year, with a median reduction of 3.9 percent. The largest over-the-year labor force decrease occurred in the Midland MSA (-5.0 percent).
Regional nonfarm employment down in December
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs were reduced by 18,000, or 0.4 percent, during December. Employment reductions occurred in most major industries, with the largest decreases found in the construction (-13,000) and professional and business services (-7,000) sectors.
Nonfarm employment receded in 14 of Michigan’s 15 metro areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.4 percent. Payroll jobs remained unchanged over the month in the Jackson MSA.
Michigan total nonfarm employment rose by 33,000, or 0.7 percent, over the year. Twelve metro areas demonstrated payroll job increases since December 2024, with a median increase of 0.5 percent.
County unemployment rates up over month, down over year
Sixty-six Michigan counties exhibited unemployment rate increases during December, with a median rate gain of 0.6 percentage points. Jobless rates fell in 76 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.
Note to editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”
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