June 04, 2026
The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics recently released the Annual Planning Information and Workforce Analysis Reports, which provide economic and demographic data and analysis for the state’s 16 Michigan Works! areas. This information is provided to assist with regional and local plans for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The 27 Planning Information tables provide detailed data on topics such as population, labor force, employment, education, income, and more. The Workforce Analysis Reports expand on what can be found within the tables and provide 16 slides of analysis on related data.
Read and download the full reports and tables.
Population trends from 2015 to 2025 were analyzed among each of the 16 Michigan Works! areas (MWAs) along with Michigan and the United States. Michigan’s population grew 1.4 percent over the period, well behind the national rate of 6.2 percent. West Michigan Works! had the greatest population growth rate at 6.3 percent followed by Michigan Works! West Central (4.4 percent).
Author:
Population Change in West Michigan Works!, 2015–2025
Source: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Census Bureau
The poverty rate for Michigan measured 13.2 percent in 2024. Oakland County Michigan Works! had the lowest poverty rate at 7.7 percent. West Michigan Works! had the second lowest rate at 10.1 percent. The Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) area, which covers the city of Detroit, had the highest rate at 32.7 percent. Poverty rates can also vary by demographic within each MWA.
Poverty by Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Oakland County Michigan Works!
Source: 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau
Each report has information on the area’s labor force, employment, and unemployment trends including demographic breakdowns. In Michigan, the unemployment rate in 2024 measured 5.7 percent. Northwest Michigan Works! (4.1 percent) and West Michigan Works! (4.2 percent) had the lowest unemployment rates among MWAs. The DESC area had the highest rate at 14.0 percent.
Unemployment Rates by Race and Ethnicity in Northwest Michigan Works!
Source: 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau
For more information, view and download the full reports for all 16 Michigan Works! areas.
