Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates advanced in 15 of Michigan’s 18 labor market areas during May, according to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Michigan regional labor markets were largely influenced by seasonal labor force gains in May” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs rose in most metro areas over the month.”
Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 4.3 to 6.4 percent during May, with a median rate gain of 0.7 percentage points. The largest over-the-month rate increase occurred in the Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Three regions exhibited jobless rate reductions over the month, including the Upper Peninsula and the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions.
Sixteen Michigan labor market areas exhibited unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.2 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate decline occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-0.5 percentage points). The Midland and Detroit MSAs were the only two regions to demonstrate jobless rate gains since May 2025.
—Regional employment mixed over month, down over year
Total employment receded in 10 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.3 percent. The largest over-the-month employment decline occurred in both the Kalamazoo and Lansing MSAs (-1.2 percent).
Seventeen Michigan regions exhibited employment reductions over the year, with a median decline of 6.7 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland MSA (-8.7 percent).
—Regional labor force levels up over month, down over year
Regional workforce totals rose in 13 Michigan labor market areas during May, with a median gain of 0.8 percent. The largest labor force increase occurred in both the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions (+2.3 percent). Four regions displayed workforce reductions over the month, and the Bay City MSA labor force total was unchanged since April.
Regional labor force levels fell in 17 regions over the year, with a median decline of 7.0 percent. The Midland metro area demonstrated the largest over-the-year labor force decrease of 8.5 percent.
—Regional payroll jobs advance during May
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment rose by 56,000, or 1.3 percent, during May. Employment gains occurred in most major industry sectors, with the notable exception of government (-7,000).
Payroll jobs rose in 13 of Michigan’s 15 metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.2 percent. The largest employment gain occurred in the Traverse City MSA (+3.1 percent). Total nonfarm employment receded slightly in the Kalamazoo metro area, and payroll jobs remained unchanged in the Lansing MSA during May.
Michigan total payroll employment fell by 12,000, or 0.3 percent, over the year. Ten metro areas exhibited payroll job reductions since May 2025, led by the Midland MSA (-3.4 percent).
—County unemployment rates up over month, down over year
Fifty-seven of Michigan’s 83 counties demonstrated unemployment rate gains during May, with a median increase of 0.6 percentage points. Jobless rates fell in 71 Michigan counties over the year.
“Michigan regional labor markets were largely influenced by seasonal labor force gains in May” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs rose in most metro areas over the month.”
Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 4.3 to 6.4 percent during May, with a median rate gain of 0.7 percentage points. The largest over-the-month rate increase occurred in the Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Three regions exhibited jobless rate reductions over the month, including the Upper Peninsula and the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions.
Sixteen Michigan labor market areas exhibited unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decrease of 0.2 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate decline occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-0.5 percentage points). The Midland and Detroit MSAs were the only two regions to demonstrate jobless rate gains since May 2025.
—Regional employment mixed over month, down over year
Total employment receded in 10 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.3 percent. The largest over-the-month employment decline occurred in both the Kalamazoo and Lansing MSAs (-1.2 percent).
Seventeen Michigan regions exhibited employment reductions over the year, with a median decline of 6.7 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland MSA (-8.7 percent).
—Regional labor force levels up over month, down over year
Regional workforce totals rose in 13 Michigan labor market areas during May, with a median gain of 0.8 percent. The largest labor force increase occurred in both the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions (+2.3 percent). Four regions displayed workforce reductions over the month, and the Bay City MSA labor force total was unchanged since April.
Regional labor force levels fell in 17 regions over the year, with a median decline of 7.0 percent. The Midland metro area demonstrated the largest over-the-year labor force decrease of 8.5 percent.
—Regional payroll jobs advance during May
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment rose by 56,000, or 1.3 percent, during May. Employment gains occurred in most major industry sectors, with the notable exception of government (-7,000).
Payroll jobs rose in 13 of Michigan’s 15 metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.2 percent. The largest employment gain occurred in the Traverse City MSA (+3.1 percent). Total nonfarm employment receded slightly in the Kalamazoo metro area, and payroll jobs remained unchanged in the Lansing MSA during May.
Michigan total payroll employment fell by 12,000, or 0.3 percent, over the year. Ten metro areas exhibited payroll job reductions since May 2025, led by the Midland MSA (-3.4 percent).
—County unemployment rates up over month, down over year
Fifty-seven of Michigan’s 83 counties demonstrated unemployment rate gains during May, with a median increase of 0.6 percentage points. Jobless rates fell in 71 Michigan counties over the year.
