LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates edged down in eight of Michigan’s 18 labor market areas during March, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Michigan labor markets exhibited little to no jobless rate changes in most regions during March” 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 jobless rates ranged from 3.7 to 8.7 percent in March, with a minor median rate decline of 0.1 percentage points. The largest rate reduction occurred in both the Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and the Monroe MSA. Nine labor market areas exhibited no change in jobless rate over the month, and the Upper Peninsula unemployment rate inched up slightly in March (+0.2 percentage points).
Seventeen Michigan labor market areas demonstrated unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decline of 0.8 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate decrease occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-1.4 percentage points). The Detroit metro area demonstrated a minor jobless rate increase since March 2025.
Total employment down over month and year
Total employment receded in 14 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median decrease of 0.4 percent. Two regions exhibited employment advances in March, and total employment was unchanged in the Traverse City MSA and the Northeast Lower Michigan region.
Sixteen Michigan regions demonstrated employment reductions over the year, with a median decline of 4.1 percent. The largest over-the-year employment decrease occurred in the Midland MSA (-6.8 percent).
Regional labor force levels down over month and year
Regional workforce totals fell in 15 Michigan labor market areas in March, with a median decrease of 0.4 percent. The largest labor force reduction occurred in the Midland MSA (-0.7 percent). The Detroit and Niles metro areas both exhibited labor force gains over the month, and the Northeast Lower Michigan region’s workforce remained unchanged since February.
Regional labor force levels receded in 17 regions over the year, with a median decline of 4.7 percent. The Midland metro area demonstrated the largest over-the-year labor force decrease of 7.3 percent.
Regional payroll jobs increase in March
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment advanced by 17,000, or 0.4 percent, during March. Industries with the most pronounced over-the-month employment gains included leisure and hospitality (+8,000) and professional and business services (+6,000).
Payroll jobs rose in 14 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The Midland MSA was the only metro area to exhibit a minor employment decrease during March (-0.3 percent).
Michigan total nonfarm employment receded by 5,000, or 0.1 percent, over the year. Nine metro areas demonstrated payroll job increases over the year, led by the Traverse City metro area (+4.7 percent).
County unemployment rates mixed over month, down over year
Forty-three Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate declines during March. Nineteen counties exhibited unemployment rate increases over the month, and 21 county jobless rates remained unchanged since February. Unemployment rates fell in 76 Michigan counties over the year.
Detailed data will be available for viewing and download with the MCDA Data Search tool by noon.
For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.
