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

“Labor force levels advanced throughout most Michigan regions in May,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Regional unemployment rate trends were mixed over the month.” 

Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 3.2 to 5.2 percent in May, with a median rate increase of 0.2 percentage points over the month. The largest over-the-month rate gain occurred in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Six regions demonstrated rate reductions over the month, led by the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-1.6 percentage points). The Midland and Muskegon MSAs exhibited no change in jobless rate since April.  

Thirteen Michigan labor market areas demonstrated unemployment rate reductions over the year, with a median rate decline of 0.2 percentage points. The Northeast Lower Michigan region exhibited the largest over-the-year rate reduction (-0.5 percentage points).   

Total employment up over month and year 

Fifteen Michigan labor market areas exhibited employment gains during May, with a median  increase of 1.1 percent. The largest employment advance occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+6.5 percent). The Detroit and Ann Arbor metro areas demonstrated employment reductions over the month.    

Employment rose in 14 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 1.1 percent. The most pronounced over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+2.7 percent).  

Regional workforce levels up over month and year 

Labor force levels advanced in 16 Michigan regions over the month, with a median increase of 1.1 percent. The largest over-the-month workforce gain occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+5.0 percent).    

Michigan labor force levels increased in 13 regions over the year, with a median workforce gain of 1.2 percent.  

Regional payroll jobs advance in May 

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment rose by 59,000 or 1.3 percent, during May. Employment gains were seen across most major industry sectors, with the notable exception of government (-12,000).  

Payroll jobs increased in 13 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median advance of 1.0 percent. The Midland and Monroe MSAs both demonstrated the largest gain in nonfarm jobs since April (+1.8 percent).  

Michigan total payroll employment advanced by 39,000, or 0.9 percent, over the year. Eleven metro areas exhibited payroll employment increases over the year, led by the Monroe MSA (+3.0 percent).  

County jobless rates down over month and year  

Fifty-three Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate reductions over the month, with a median decrease of 0.9 percentage points. Sixty-seven Michigan counties displayed unemployment 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 May workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for May.      

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