April 09, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates rose in all 18 Michigan labor market areas during January, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Michigan regional labor markets exhibited seasonal unemployment rate increases between December and January” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Regional payroll jobs decreased over the month.”
Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 4.3 to 9.2 percent in January, with a median rate increase of 0.8 percentage points. The largest rate gain occurred in the Flint metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
Ten Michigan labor market areas demonstrated unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.4 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate decline occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. Five Michigan regions exhibited unemployment rate gains over the year, and the jobless rates remained unchanged in the Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids MSAs since January 2025.
Total employment down over month and year
Total employment receded in all 18 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.6 percent. The most pronounced over-the-month employment decline occurred in both the Flint and Lansing MSAs (-2.3 percent).
Sixteen Michigan regions exhibited employment reductions over the year, with a median decline of -3.6 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland metro area (-6.3 percent).
Regional labor force totals up over month, down over year
Regional workforce levels rose in 13 Michigan labor market areas in January, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The largest labor force gain occurred in the Flint MSA (+1.0 percent).
Regional workforce levels fell in all 18 regions over the year, with a median decrease of 3.5 percent. The largest over-the-year labor force reduction occurred in the Midland metro area (-6.2 percent).
Regional nonfarm employment down during January
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs were reduced by 83,000, or 1.9 percent, between December and January. Industries with the largest over-the-month employment decreases included trade, transportation, and utilities (-23,000) and government (-14,000).
Nonfarm employment receded in all 15 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median decrease of 1.9 percent. The largest over-the-month decline in payroll jobs occurred in the Flint MSA (-4.4 percent).
Michigan total nonfarm employment edged up by 2,000, or 0.0 percent, over the year. Seven metro areas displayed payroll job increases over the year, seven areas exhibited nonfarm job declines, and payroll employment remained unchanged in the Jackson MSA since January 2025.
County unemployment rates up over month, down over year
Eighty-two Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate increases during January, with a median rate gain of 0.9 percentage points. Unemployment rates fell in 59 Michigan counties over the year.
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.
Note to editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”
Detailed data will be available for viewing and download with the MCDA Data Search tool by noon.
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Not Seasonally Adjusted
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ann Arbor MSA (Washtenaw County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 200,900 | 200,400 | 208,400 | 500 (0.2%) | -7,500 (-3.6%) |
| Employed | 192,400 | 192,900 | 199,400 | -500 (-0.3%) | -7,000 (-3.5%) |
| Unemployed | 8,500 | 7,600 | 9,000 | 900 (11.8%) | -500 (-5.6%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | 4.3% | 0.5 | 0.0 |
Battle Creek MSA (Calhoun County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 62,300 | 62,500 | 64,600 | -200 (-0.3%) | -2,300 (-3.6%) |
| Employed | 58,600 | 59,300 | 60,800 | -700 (-1.2%) | -2,200 (-3.6%) |
| Unemployed | 3,600 | 3,200 | 3,800 | 400 (12.5%) | -200 (-5.3%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | 5.8% | 0.7 | 0.0 |
Bay City MSA (Bay County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 48,800 | 48,400 | 50,500 | 400 (0.8%) | -1,700 (-3.4%) |
| Employed | 45,500 | 45,600 | 47,000 | -100 (-0.2%) | -1,500 (-3.2%) |
| Unemployed | 3,300 | 2,800 | 3,500 | 500 (17.9%) | -200 (-5.7%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.7% | 6.9% | 1.1 | -0.1 |
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, Livingston, and St. Clair counties)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 2,171,000 | 2,181,000 | 2,176,000 | -10,000 (-0.5%) | -5,000 (-0.2%) |
| Employed | 2,056,000 | 2,079,000 | 2,054,000 | -23,000 (-1.1%) | 2,000 (0.1%) |
| Unemployed | 116,000 | 102,000 | 122,000 | 14,000 (13.7%) | -6,000 (-4.9%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 0.6 | -0.3 |
Flint MSA (Genesee County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 185,500 | 183,700 | 190,200 | 1,800 (1.0%) | -4,700 (-2.5%) |
| Employed | 169,000 | 173,000 | 177,100 | -4,000 (-2.3%) | -8,100 (-4.6%) |
| Unemployed | 16,500 | 10,700 | 13,100 | 5,800 (54.2%) | 3,400 (26.0%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.8% | 6.9% | 3.1 | 2.0 |
Grand Rapids-Wyoming Kentwood MSA (Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, and Ottawa counties)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 605,700 | 603,100 | 631,500 | 2,600 (0.4%) | -25,800 (-4.1%) |
| Employed | 578,300 | 578,900 | 603,100 | -600 (-0.1%) | -24,800 (-4.1%) |
| Unemployed | 27,400 | 24,100 | 28,400 | 3,300 (13.7%) | -1,000 (-3.5%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.0% | 4.5% | 0.5 | 0.0 |
Jackson MSA (Jackson County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 72,400 | 71,900 | 75,400 | 500 (0.7%) | -3,000 (-4.0%) |
| Employed | 68,300 | 68,400 | 71,000 | -100 (-0.1%) | -2,700 (-3.8%) |
| Unemployed | 4,100 | 3,500 | 4,400 | 600 (17.1%) | -300 (-6.8%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | 5.8% | 0.8 | -0.1 |
Kalamazoo-Portage MSA (Kalamazoo County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 135,900 | 136,100 | 142,100 | -200 (-0.1%) | -6,200 (-4.4%) |
| Employed | 129,600 | 130,400 | 135,500 | -800 (-0.6%) | -5,900 (-4.4%) |
| Unemployed | 6,300 | 5,600 | 6,500 | 700 (12.5%) | -200 (-3.1%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 0.6 | 0.1 |
Lansing-East Lansing MSA (Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 244,500 | 248,800 | 255,000 | -4,300 (-1.7%) | -10,500 (-4.1%) |
| Employed | 232,400 | 237,800 | 242,800 | -5,400 (-2.3%) | -10,400 (-4.3%) |
| Unemployed | 12,100 | 10,900 | 12,200 | 1,200 (11.0%) | -100 (-0.8%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | 4.8% | 0.6 | 0.2 |
Midland MSA (Midland County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 40,900 | 40,800 | 43,600 | 100 (0.2%) | -2,700 (-6.2%) |
| Employed | 38,700 | 38,900 | 41,300 | -200 (-0.5%) | -2,600 (-6.3%) |
| Unemployed | 2,200 | 1,900 | 2,300 | 300 (15.8%) | -100 (-4.3%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.6% | 5.3% | 0.8 | 0.1 |
Monroe MSA (Monroe County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 75,300 | 74,900 | 78,600 | 400 (0.5%) | -3,300 (-4.2%) |
| Employed | 71,100 | 71,400 | 73,400 | -300 (-0.4%) | -2,300 (-3.1%) |
| Unemployed | 4,300 | 3,500 | 5,100 | 800 (22.9%) | -800 (-15.7%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.7% | 6.5% | 1.0 | -0.8 |
Muskegon-Norton Shore MSA (Muskegon County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 82,300 | 82,200 | 84,600 | 100 (0.1%) | -2,300 (-2.7%) |
| Employed | 77,600 | 78,000 | 79,500 | -400 (-0.5%) | -1,900 (-2.4%) |
| Unemployed | 4,700 | 4,200 | 5,100 | 500 (11.9%) | -400 (-7.8%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | 6.0% | 0.6 | -0.3 |
Niles MSA (Berrien County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 74,100 | 73,900 | 76,100 | 200 (0.3%) | -2,000 (-2.6%) |
| Employed | 70,000 | 70,400 | 71,600 | -400 (-0.6%) | -1,600 (-2.2%) |
| Unemployed | 4,000 | 3,500 | 4,500 | 500 (14.3%) | -500 (-11.1%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | 5.9% | 0.8 | -0.4 |
Saginaw MSA (Saginaw County)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 84,100 | 83,800 | 85,700 | 300 (0.4%) | -1,600 (-1.9%) |
| Employed | 78,000 | 78,900 | 79,500 | -900 (-1.1%) | -1,500 (-1.9%) |
| Unemployed | 6,100 | 4,900 | 6,200 | 1,200 (24.5%) | -100 (-1.6%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 1.4 | 0.1 |
Traverse City MSA (Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 79,900 | 80,000 | 80,300 | -100 (-0.1%) | -400 (-0.5%) |
| Employed | 76,000 | 76,600 | 76,000 | -600 (-0.8%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Unemployed | 3,900 | 3,400 | 4,200 | 500 (14.7%) | -300 (-7.1%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | 5.3% | 0.6 | -0.5 |
Upper Peninsula Labor Market Area (LMA) (15 counties)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 136,700 | 135,600 | 142,400 | 1,100 (0.8%) | -5,700 (-4.0%) |
| Employed | 127,000 | 127,100 | 131,800 | -100 (-0.1%) | -4,800 (-3.6%) |
| Unemployed | 9,700 | 8,600 | 10,600 | 1,100 (12.8%) | -900 (-8.5%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.3% | 7.5% | 0.8 | -0.4 |
Northeast Lower Michigan LMA (Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon counties)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 81,200 | 80,700 | 84,100 | 500 (0.6%) | -2,900 (-3.4%) |
| Employed | 73,700 | 74,400 | 75,600 | -700 (-0.9%) | -1,900 (-2.5%) |
| Unemployed | 7,500 | 6,400 | 8,500 | 1,100 (17.2%) | -1,000 (-11.8%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2% | 7.9% | 10.1% | 1.3 | -0.9 |
Northwest Lower Michigan LMA (Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford counties)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 152,800 | 152,700 | 155,400 | 100 (0.1%) | -2,600 (-1.7%) |
| Employed | 144,100 | 145,100 | 145,600 | -1,000 (-0.7%) | -1,500 (-1.0%) |
| Unemployed | 8,700 | 7,500 | 9,800 | 1,200 (16.0%) | -1,100 (-11.2%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | 6.3% | 0.8 | -0.6 |
Michigan (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
| Labor Market Indicators | Jan. 2026 | Dec. 2025 | Jan. 2025 | Over-the-Month Change | Over-the-Year Change |
| Civilian Labor Force | 4,934,000 | 4,942,000 | 5,042,000 | -8,000 (-0.2%) | -108,000 (-2.1%) |
| Employed | 4,659,000 | 4,705,000 | 4,754,000 | -46,000 (-1.0%) | -95,000 (-2.0%) |
| Unemployed | 275,000 | 236,000 | 287,000 | 39,000 (16.5%) | -12,000 (-4.2%) |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.8% | 5.7% | 0.8 | -0.1 |
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Note on data revisions The data in this release reflects recently revised historical estimates. All states in the nation participate in this revision process facilitated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor force estimates for Michigan counties have been revised for all months of 2025. Revised data will be released in coming weeks for 2021–2024. In addition, all unadjusted payroll job data for Michigan and all metro areas was revised for 2024 and 2025. For certain industries with larger historical revisions, unadjusted payroll job data was revised for multiple years, some back to 1990. For newly revised data, go to www.milmi.org/datasearch. Previously published data for these years should be discarded and replaced with the new series. |
