Michigan Unemployment Rate Declines During August

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 5.2 percent during August.

The national unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point between July and August to 4.3 percent. Michigan’s August jobless rate was 0.9 percentage points higher than the national rate. The U.S. unemployment rate advanced by one-tenth of a percentage point over the year, while the statewide jobless rate increased by 0.2 percentage points since August 2024. Michigan had the third largest jobless rate in the nation during August, behind California (5.5 percent) and Nevada (5.3 percent).

Michigan’s labor force receded by 0.3 percent over the month, while the national workforce total rose by 0.3 percent. Statewide employment receded by 0.1 percent and the U.S. employment level advanced by 0.2 percent. The total number of unemployed people in the state fell by 2.2 percent over the month, whereas the national unemployment total advanced by 2.0 percent.  

Over the year, Michigan’s labor force declined by 0.2 percent, while the U.S. workforce advanced by 1.4 percent. Statewide employment receded by 0.5 percent, while the U.S. employment total advanced by 1.2 percent. The number of unemployed people in Michigan increased by 4.8 percent, an increase slightly larger than the national total unemployment gain of 4.4 percent over the year.