LANSING, Mich. -- Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates advanced in 14 of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics.
“Regional jobless rate increases over the month were primarily influenced by employment decreases across most labor market areas,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “However, preliminary annual average unemployment rates fell over the year.”
Regional jobless rates in the state ranged from 2.6 to 6.6 percent in December. Unemployment rate increases ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 percentage points, with a median increase of 0.4 percentage points. The largest over-the-month increase occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. The Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was the only region to exhibit a decrease in jobless rate over the month. Unemployment rates in the Ann Arbor and Monroe MSAs remained unchanged since November.
Annual average unemployment rates down over year
Preliminary annual average data indicated that regional unemployment rates fell in all 17 Michigan regions over the year. Rate reductions ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 percentage points, with a median decrease of 0.2 percentage points.
Total employment down over month, up over year
Regional employment levels declined in 16 Michigan labor market areas in December, with a median reduction of 2.5 percent. The largest employment decrease occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-4.0 percent). The Detroit MSA exhibited a minor employment gain over the month (+0.2 percent).
All 17 Michigan labor market areas exhibited employment advances over the year, with a median increase of 3.8 percent. The Ann Arbor MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-year employment gain (+6.2 percent).
Labor force levels down over month, up over year
Workforce totals fell in all 17 Michigan regions over the month, with a median decrease of 2.2 percent. The largest over-the-month reduction occurred in the Kalamazoo MSA (-2.6 percent).
All 17 Michigan labor market areas demonstrated labor force gains over the year, with a median increase of 3.3 percent. The largest over-the-year workforce advance occurred in the Ann Arbor metro area (+5.8 percent).
Regional payroll jobs decrease in December
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment fell by 15,000, or 0.3 percent, over the month. Sectors with the largest numerical decreases in jobs included professional and business services (-8,000) and government (-7,000).
Ten Michigan metro areas exhibited payroll job reductions over the month, with a median decrease of 0.5 percent. The largest employment decline occurred in the Saginaw MSA (-1.2 percent). Nonfarm employment advanced in the Midland, Muskegon, and Flint metro areas, and remained unchanged over the month in the Grand Rapids MSA.
Michigan total nonfarm jobs rose by 41,000 over the year, or 0.9 percent. Twelve metro areas demonstrated job gains over the year, with a median increase of 1.1 percent.
County jobless rates up over month, down over year
Seventy-five Michigan counties demonstrated jobless rate gains during December, with a median increase of 0.6 percentage points. Seventy-seven Michigan counties exhibited 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 December workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for December.
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