Michigan Unemployment Rate Rises in August

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate inched up by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.5 percent during August.

Over the month, the U.S. unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2 percent. Michigan’s rate was three-tenths of a percentage point above the U.S. rate. Across the nation, August statewide unemployment rates ranged from 2.0 percent in South Dakota to 5.5 percent in Nevada. Michigan was tied with Ohio for having the ninth highest jobless rate in the U.S. during August. Over the year, Michigan’s jobless rate rose by half a percentage point, while the national rate moved up by 0.4 percentage points.

Michigan’s labor force inched down by 0.1 percent over the month, while the U.S. workforce edged up by 0.1 percent. The statewide employment total receded by 0.2 percent in August, while the national employment level rose by 0.1 percent. Over the month, total unemployment in Michigan increased by 2.3 percent, while the U.S. unemployment level declined by 0.7 percent.

Over the year, Michigan’s labor force edged up by 0.3 percent, an increase similar to the workforce gain observed nationally (+0.4 percent). Total statewide employment declined by 0.2 percent, while total U.S. employment was essentially unchanged since August 2023. Michigan’s unemployment total advanced by 11.9 percent over the year, three-tenths of a percentage point below the national unemployment gain (+12.2 percent).

The Michigan jobless rate surpassed the national rate in August.

Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

For more information on Michigan's statewide and regional labor markets, read the full press releases from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Download custom employment and unemployment data with the MCDA Data Search tool.