Michigan regional jobless rates fall in September

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

“Michigan regional labor markets displayed typical seasonal jobless rate declines,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Total nonfarm employment advanced in most regions over the month.”

Regional jobless rates in the state ranged from 3.4 to 4.9 percent in September, with a median rate decrease of 0.4 percentage points over the month.

Fourteen Michigan labor market areas exhibited jobless rate declines over the year, with a median rate reduction of 0.2 percentage points. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was the only region to demonstrate a rate increase over the year (+0.3 percentage points). Rates in the Grand Rapids and Niles MSAs remained unchanged since September 2022.

Of note: The UAW labor dispute began Sept. 15. The information in this release covers labor market trends for the week of Sept. 10–16. Due to the persons on strike having worked for part of that week, they are counted as employed in this month’s estimates. As a result, the labor dispute had no substantial impact on September’s employment situation.

—Regional employment down over month, up over year

Fifteen Michigan labor market areas displayed employment decreases over the month, with a median reduction of 0.9 percent. The largest over-the-month decline occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (-5.1 percent). The Detroit and Lansing metro areas both demonstrated employment advances since August.
Employment increased in all 17 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 3.0 percent. The largest over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Ann Arbor MSA (+5.4 percent).

—Regional labor force levels down over month, up over year

Regional workforce levels fell in 15 Michigan regions over the month, with a median decrease of 1.4 percent.

All 17 Michigan regions exhibited labor force increases over the year, with a median increase of 3.0 percent. The Ann Arbor MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-year workforce gain of 5.3 percent.

—Regional payroll employment increases during September

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs edged down by 2,000, or 0.1 percent, over the month, resulting in a nonfarm employment total of 4,452,000 in September. Decreases across most major industries in the state were partially offset by a large seasonal increase in the government sector (+45,000).   

Eleven Michigan metro areas demonstrated employment gains over the month, with a median increase of 1.3 percent. Payroll employment fell in the Detroit, Flint, and Muskegon MSAs during September.  

Michigan payroll jobs advanced by 56,000, or 1.3 percent, over the year. Thirteen metro areas displayed employment gains since September 2022, with a median increase of 1.4 percent.

—County unemployment rates down over month and year

Seventy-eight Michigan counties demonstrated jobless rate declines between August and September. Unemployment rates fell in 54 counties over the year.