LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.5 percent during August, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment declined by 12,000 over the month, while unemployment increased by 5,000, resulting in a workforce reduction of 7,000 during August.

“Michigan’s jobless rate advanced for the third consecutive month, primarily due to a decrease in statewide employment in August,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs also dipped slightly in August and have fallen 19,000 over the last three months.”

The national jobless rate receded by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.2 percent. Michigan’s August unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percentage point larger than the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points, while the statewide rate increased by half a percentage point since August 2023.      

Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s unemployment rate advanced for the third consecutive month during August.
• Total employment in the state decreased by 0.2 percent over the month, while the national employment level edged up by 0.1 percent.
• Michigan’s over-the-year unemployment total gain of 11.9 percent was similar to the unemployment gain seen nationwide between August 2023 and August 2024 (+12.2 percent).
• The August statewide labor force participation rate receded by one-tenth of a percentage point to 62.3 percent over the month. Michigan’s employment-population ratio decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point to 59.5 percent over the same period.   

Detroit metro area unemployment rate remains constant in August

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent during August. Employment in the region was reduced by 8,000, while unemployment stayed constant over the month. The Detroit metro area labor force receded by 7,000 during August.  

The Detroit MSA jobless rate increased by 0.7 percentage points over the year. Employment fell by 18,000, and unemployment increased by 16,000 since August 2023.

Payroll jobs edge down in August

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll jobs fell by 2,000, resulting in a total job count of 4,488,000 in August.

Industry employment trends and highlights

• Statewide total payroll jobs declined for the third consecutive month in August, with employment decreasing by 19,000, or 0.4 percent, since May.
• Michigan’s trade, transportation, and utilities and financial activities sectors exhibited employment growth for the second consecutive month during August.
• The state’s private education and health services sector recorded the largest over-the-month reduction in employment, with jobs receding by 2,000 in August.
• On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs advanced by 33,000, or 0.7 percent, over the year.
• On a numerical basis, the most significant over-the-year industry job gains occurred in government (+19,000), construction (+15,000), and private education and health services (+11,000).

For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.

###