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

“Labor force increases were seen across most Michigan labor market areas during April,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director of the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Regional payroll employment levels also advanced over the month.”

Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 2.0 to 6.3 percent during April, with a median over-the-month rate decrease of 1.5 percentage points. The Northeast Lower Michigan region demonstrated the largest over-the-month decline in the jobless rate (-3.1 percentage points).

Unemployment rates decreased in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median rate reduction of 0.8 percentage points. Regions with the largest over-the-year rate decreases included the Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and the Lansing metro area.  

Regional employment levels up over month and year

Employment rose in 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median increase of 2.8 percent. The largest over-the-month employment increase occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. Employment edged down slightly over the month in the Detroit MSA (-0.3 percent).

Total employment advanced in all 17 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 3.5 percent. The Ann Arbor MSA exhibited the largest over-the-year employment gain (+5.6 percent).

Regional labor force levels up over month and year

Total workforce levels advanced in 16 labor market areas across Michigan, with a median increase of 1.2 percent. The largest labor force increase occurred in the Ann Arbor metro area. Detroit was the only labor market area to exhibit a labor force decline over the month (-1.2 percent).   

Michigan workforce levels advanced in all 17 regions over the year, with a median increase of 2.6 percent. The Ann Arbor MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-year labor force increase of 4.8 percent.

Regional payroll jobs advance in April

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 21,000, or 0.5 percent, over the month. Minor employment gains were seen across multiple statewide industries during April.

Payroll jobs rose in 13 metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.4 percent. The Bay City MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-month gain in jobs (+0.9 percent). Nonfarm employment edged down over the month in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA (-0.3 percent).

Michigan's total nonfarm employment advanced by 49,000 over the year, or 1.1 percent. Twelve metro areas exhibited job increases over the year, with a median employment gain of 1.7 percent.  

County unemployment rates down over month and year

Eighty-two Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate reductions between March and April, with a median decrease of 1.7 percentage points. Seventy-nine counties exhibited rate reductions 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 April workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for April.       

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

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