Michigan regional unemployment rates little changed in June

Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates were largely unchanged in most of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas during June, according to data released Thursday from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

Rate reductions were largest in the Monroe metro area and the Upper Peninsula and Northeast Michigan regions. However, jobless rates in June were unchanged in seven regions, and seven other major Michigan regions had jobless rate changes of 0.2 percentage points or less.

“Michigan regional jobless rates displayed little change in June,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “However, both employment levels and nonfarm job counts rose in most metro areas over the month.”

Michigan major area jobless rates had a minor median decrease of a tenth of a percentage point over the month. The largest rate reductions occurred in the Monroe metropolitan statistical area (MSA) (-0.6 percentage points), the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-0.4 percentage points), and the Upper Peninsula (-0.4 percentage points). The Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, and Detroit metro areas all recorded minor jobless rate increases in June.

—Regional jobless rates drop significantly over the year

Unemployment rates fell sharply in all 17 of Michigan’s major labor market regions over the year, as June 2020 rates were high due to pandemic-related job cuts. Rate decreases over the year ranged from 4.0 to 13.9 percentage points, with a median rate drop of 5.4 percentage points.

Regional jobless rates remained above June 2019 levels. All 17 labor market areas had rate increases since June 2019, with a median rate hike of 1.6 percentage points. The largest rate jump was in the Muskegon region (+3.5 percentage points). 

—Total employment up over the month and year

Employment levels advanced in 14 regions during June. Increases ranged from 0.2 to 2.3 percent, with a median rise of 0.8 percent. Northeast Lower Michigan led the way with the highest monthly percentage employment advance (+2.3 percent). The Lansing and Ann Arbor regions displayed minor employment reductions over the month, and the Battle Creek MSA employment total remained unchanged. Total employment rebounded over the year in 12 Michigan regions, with a median increase of 1.2 percent. Employment moved down in the Bay City and Lansing MSAs and remained unchanged in the Battle Creek, Jackson, and Monroe metro areas since June 2020.

Despite over-the-year advances, employment totals remained below pre-pandemic June 2019 levels, with a median drop of 5.8 percent over the two-year period. The largest reduction occurred in the Muskegon metro area.

—Labor force levels up over month, down over year

Regional workforce levels moved up in 14 Michigan areas during June, with a median gain of 0.7 percent. The largest percent labor force advance in June was seasonal and occurred in the Upper Peninsula. Workforce levels decreased slightly in the Ann Arbor and Lansing MSAs and remained unchanged in the Battle Creek region.

All 17 Michigan regions registered labor force decreases over the year, with a median decline of 5.0 percent. These reductions since June 2020 were led by the Muskegon MSA (-7.4 percent).

—Nonfarm employment edges up in June

The monthly survey of employers indicated that not seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs increased in June by 51,000, or 1.2 percent, to 4,199,000. Job gains occurred in most major industries, led by the leisure and hospitality sector (+25,000).
Nonfarm jobs increased in 12 metro regions during June, with a median advance of 1.3 percent. The largest percentage employment gain was in the Muskegon metro area. Payroll jobs edged down seasonally in the Ann Arbor region and remained unchanged in the Battle Creek MSA.

Statewide payroll employment recovered by 290,000 over the year, or 7.4 percent, reflecting the recall of workers from pandemic-related layoffs since June 2020. All 14 metro regions had job recalls since June 2020, with a median employment increase of 6.3 percent. However, jobs in Michigan metro areas remain well below June 2019 levels.

—County jobless rates down over month and year

Forty-four Michigan counties displayed jobless rate reductions in June, while 14 counties had rate increases and 25 county rates were unchanged. Over the year, all 83 counties recorded unemployment rate decreases.