Regional Michigan unemployment rates advance in June

Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates rose in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the month, according to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

“Michigan regions experienced typical jobless rate gains during June,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “The majority of regions saw labor force levels increase over the month and the year.”

Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 4.0 to 6.1 percent in June, with a median rate increase of 0.9 percentage points. The most pronounced over-the-month rate gain occurred in the Lansing metropolitan statistical area (MSA).

All 17 Michigan labor market areas exhibited jobless rate hikes over the year, with a median rate increase of 0.6 percentage points. The Detroit MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-year rate gain (+1.4 percentage points).  

—Total employment down over month, mixed over year

Thirteen Michigan labor market areas demonstrated employment reductions during June, with a median decrease of 0.8 percent. The most pronounced employment decline occurred in the Lansing metro area (-2.4 percent). Employment gains occurred over the month in both the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions, as well as the Upper Peninsula. Total employment was unchanged in the Muskegon MSA.    

Employment fell in nine regions over the year, with a median reduction of 0.7 percent. Seven Michigan labor market areas experienced employment increases over the year, and employment remained unchanged in the Kalamazoo metro area since June 2023.

—Regional labor force levels up over month and year

Workforce levels increased in 12 Michigan regions over the month, with a median increase of 0.7 percent. The largest over-the-month workforce gain occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+3.7 percent).   

Thirteen Michigan regions demonstrated labor force increases over the year, with a median advance of 0.8 percent. The largest over-the-year workforce increase occurred in the Lansing MSA (+2.6 percent).

—Regional payroll jobs increase during June

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs rose by 26,000 or 0.6 percent, in June. Employment gains were seen across most major industries, with the notable exception of government (-15,000).

Payroll jobs advanced in 11 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median gain of 0.5 percent. The Saginaw metro area displayed the largest employment gain during June (+1.0 percent).

Michigan total nonfarm employment rose by 38,000, or 0.8 percent, over the year. Six metro areas exhibited payroll employment increases over the year, six regions showed payroll job reductions, and the Kalamazoo and Saginaw MSAs demonstrated no change in nonfarm jobs since June 2023.

—County jobless rates up over month and year

Eighty-one Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate gains over the month, with a median increase of 0.8 percentage points. Eighty-one Michigan counties also displayed unemployment rate advances over the year.