Regional Michigan unemployment rate trends mixed in February

Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates advanced in six Michigan regions and declined in three labor market areas during February, according to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Regional rates remained unchanged in eight areas over the month.   

“Labor force levels were up across all regions in February,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director of the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Changes in regional unemployment rates were mixed over the month.”

Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 3.5 to 9.9 percent in February. Six Michigan regions demonstrated jobless rate increases over the month, with a median increase of 0.3 percentage points. The largest over-the-month increase occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+0.4 percentage points). Three metro areas exhibited rate decreases since January, with a median decline of 0.4 percentage points. The most pronounced rate decline was in the Lansing metropolitan statistical area (MSA) (-0.7 percentage points).

Over the year, jobless rates rose in nine areas and decreased in seven regions. The Northeast Lower Michigan region demonstrated the largest over-the-year rate increase of 0.9 percentage points. The unemployment rate remained unchanged in the Lansing MSA since February 2022.

—Regional employment totals up over month and year

Employment rose in 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.6 percent. The largest over-the-month employment increase occurred in the Lansing MSA. Total employment remained unchanged in the Saginaw metro area.

Sixteen Michigan regions exhibited employment gains over the year, with a median increase of 2.2 percent.

—Regional labor force levels up over month and year

Total workforce levels advanced in all 17 labor market areas across Michigan in February, with a median increase of 0.8 percent. The largest labor force increase this month occurred in the Lansing MSA.  

Workforce levels increased in 16 Michigan regions over the year as well, with the most pronounced labor force advance seen in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA (+4.3 percent).  

—Regional payroll jobs increase in February

Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment rose by 37,000, or 0.9 percent, over the month, according to the monthly survey of employers. The majority of this increase came from job gains in the state’s government sector (+20,000).        

Payroll employment rose in 13 metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.6 percent. The Lansing metro area demonstrated the largest over-the-month gain in jobs (+3.5 percent).
Michigan total nonfarm employment rose by 92,000 over the year, or 2.2 percent. All 14 metro areas displayed job advances over the year, with a median employment increase of 2.6 percent.

—County unemployment rates mixed over month, up over year

Forty-four Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate increases over the month, while 22 counties exhibited rate decreases and 17 county rates remained unchanged. Jobless rates rose in 63 Michigan counties over the year.