Jobless rates lower in all Michigan labor markets

LANSING (AP) -- The state says seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates have decreased in all 17 major Michigan labor markets. The figures for October were released Tuesday by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, and they reflect seasonal reductions in the workforce. The statewide unadjusted jobless rate was 9.2 percent compared with 10.1 percent in September. Rates range from a low of 5.7 percent in the Ann Arbor region to a high of 10.8 percent in the Detroit region. The Detroit region's rate was 12.2 percent in October 2010. Eighty of Michigan's 83 counties had lower unemployment rates in October. Mackinac County has the lowest county rate at 5 percent, followed by Washtenaw and Clinton at 5.7 percent. Baraga County has the highest at 15.1 percent. Published: Thu, Dec 1, 2011