LANSING, Mich. -- Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates decreased in 13 of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.  

“Michigan regional labor markets moved as expected during November,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Seasonal rate increases occurred in several regions. Payroll employment was stable over the month.”

Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 2.9 to 6.2 percent in November. Rate declines ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 percentage points, with a median decrease of 0.2 percentage points over the month. Seasonal jobless rate advances occurred in the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions and the Upper Peninsula. The Niles-Benton Harbor metro area displayed no change in rate since October.

Ten Michigan regions demonstrated jobless rate increases over the year, led by the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+0.8 percentage points). The median over-the-year rate advance was 0.2 percentage points. Jobless rates fell over the year in five areas, including the Detroit, Muskegon, Battle Creek, Flint, and Jackson metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Rates remained unchanged in the Grand Rapids and Saginaw MSAs since November 2021.

Total employment up over month and year

Regional employment levels rose in 13 Michigan areas over the month, with a median increase of 1.9 percent. Seasonal November employment decreases occurred in the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions as well as the Upper Peninsula. The Detroit MSA also demonstrated a minor employment decrease over the month (-0.5 percent).   

Sixteen Michigan labor market areas displayed employment hikes over the year, with a median advance of 2.2 percent. The Lansing MSA demonstrated the most pronounced over-the-year employment increase (+5.3 percent).

Workforce levels up over month and year

Thirteen Michigan regions displayed labor force increases over the month, with a median advance of 1.8 percent. Four labor market areas exhibited workforce reductions over the month, including the Detroit MSA, the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions, and the Upper Peninsula.

Sixteen Michigan regions demonstrated workforce increases over the year, with a median increase of 2.4 percent. The Lansing MSA showed the largest over-the-year labor force advance of 5.3 percent.      

Regional nonfarm job levels advance in November

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs remained nearly unchanged over the month, edging up by 5,000, or 0.1 percent. Nonfarm employment in the state was primarily influenced by seasonal movements in sector jobs, including an increase in trade, transportation, and utilities (+11,000), and an over-the-month decline in leisure and hospitality (-9,000).      

All 14 Michigan metro areas exhibited nonfarm employment advances over the month, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The largest increase in payroll jobs of 0.9 percent was seen in both the Lansing MSA and the Bay City metro area.

Michigan total nonfarm jobs rose by 112,000 over the year, or 2.6 percent. Twelve metro areas displayed job advances over the year, with a median increase of 1.6 percent.

County unemployment rate trends mixed over month, up over year

Thirty-seven Michigan counties demonstrated jobless rate increases during November, while 36 counties saw rate declines and 10 regions were unchanged over the month. The unemployment rate increased in 68 Michigan counties over the year.  

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

Note: Data in this release is not seasonally adjusted. As a result, employment and unemployment trends may differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted data.

A breakdown of not seasonally adjusted November workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for November.     

Note to editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads “Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.”

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