LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates rose in 16 of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Unemployment rate increases throughout Michigan’s regions were typical for the month of July,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Regular annual payroll reductions in education and the state’s auto industry contributed to over-the-month jobless rate hikes.”
Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 4.4 to 6.8 percent in July, with a median rate gain of 0.6 percentage points. The largest over-the-month rate gains occurred in the Monroe and Detroit metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) at 1.7 and 1.2 percentage points, respectively.
All 17 Michigan labor market areas demonstrated unemployment rate gains over the year, with a median rate increase of 0.9 percentage points. The Monroe and Detroit MSAs each exhibited the largest over-the-year rate gain of 2.4 percentage points.
Total employment up over month and year
Employment advanced in 11 Michigan areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.6 percent. The largest over-the-month employment gain occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+2.7 percent). Employment fell in six regions during July, led by the Jackson metro area (-0.7 percent).
Thirteen Michigan regions exhibited employment advances over the year, with a median gain of 0.8 percent. Three Michigan labor market areas experienced employment decreases over the year, and employment remained unchanged in the Muskegon MSA since July 2023.
Regional workforce levels up over month and year
Labor force levels increased in 16 Michigan regions over the month, with a median gain of 0.8 percent. The largest over-the-month workforce gain occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (+2.9 percent).
All 17 Michigan regions demonstrated workforce increases over the year, with a median advance of 1.6 percent. The Monroe metro area demonstrated the largest over-the-year labor force gain of 3.5 percent.
Regional payroll employment recedes seasonally in July
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs fell by 55,000, or 1.2 percent, during July. The largest over-the-month employment reductions occurred in the government (-27,000), professional and business services (-20,000), and manufacturing (-6,000) sectors. The majority of the manufacturing job declines occurred in the auto industry as a result of the annual retooling period in July.
Payroll jobs fell in 13 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median decline of 1.3 percent. The Monroe MSA exhibited the largest decrease in nonfarm jobs over the month (-2.7 percent). Payroll employment was unchanged in the Midland metro area during July.
Michigan total nonfarm employment advanced by 42,000, or 0.9 percent, over the year. Eight metro areas demonstrated payroll gains during this period, while six regions exhibited nonfarm employment reductions. The largest over-the-year increase in payroll jobs occurred in the Lansing MSA (+2.0 percent).
County jobless rates up over month and year
Seventy-five Michigan counties displayed unemployment rate gains over the month, with a median increase of 0.5 percentage points. All 83 Michigan counties exhibited unemployment rate increases 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 July workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for July.
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