February 06, 2025
On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan’s jobless rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.0 percent over the month. The statewide unemployment rate advanced for the third consecutive month in December.
Over the month, the U.S. jobless rate inched down by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.1 percent in December. Since December 2023, the statewide jobless rate rose by 0.9 percentage points, three times the U.S. rate increase over the same period (+0.3 percent). Across the nation, December statewide jobless rates ranged from 1.9 percent in South Dakota to 5.7 percent in Nevada. Among 50 states, Michigan had the fifth highest unemployment rate at 5.0 percent.
In December, Michigan’s labor force levels inched down by 0.1 percent, while the national workforce edged up by 0.1 percent. Total statewide employment fell by 0.2 percent during December, while U.S. employment levels rose by 0.3 percent. Over the month, total unemployment in Michigan advanced by 3.3 percent, contrary to the 3.3 percent reduction in unemployment levels recorded in the U.S.
Over the year, Michigan’s labor force rose minimally by 0.1 percent, six-tenths of a percentage point below the workforce gain seen nationally (+0.7 percent). Since December 2023, statewide employment receded by 0.8 percent, while U.S. employment levels inched up by 0.3 percent. The number of unemployed people in Michigan rose by a staggering 21.7 percent over the year, while total unemployment in the U.S. advanced by 9.0 percent.
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics
Preliminary data reveals that Michigan’s annual average unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in 2024. Last year, the statewide average unemployment rate was half a percentage point above the U.S. annual average jobless rate (4.0 percent). Michigan’s annual unemployment rate of 4.5 percent tied with Rhode Island as the eighth highest rate in the nation. Between 2023 and 2024, Michigan’s annual rate increase of 0.6 percentage points tied with six states as the ninth largest gain in the U.S.
In 2024, all 17 Michigan labor market areas recorded annual average unemployment rate increases, with a median advance of 0.4 percentage points. Eleven of the 17 major areas noted annual unemployment rate averages greater than or equal to the statewide rate (4.5 percent).
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.
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