Chris Holman welcomes back Shibani Putatunda, Economic Specialist, with the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, within DTMB - the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget for the State of MIWatch Shibani and Chris discuss Michigan’s October labor market trends, unemployment rate, job changes, and regional updates in the YouTube video shared below:

What is going on in Michigan’s labor market this month?

How did Michigan’s unemployment rate compare with the U.S. and other states in October?

What industries saw the greatest change in number of jobs in October?

What happened in the Michigan regions this month?

What would you say is the key takeaway for Michigan’s labor market for October?

Where can we find more information on Michigan’s labor market?

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LANSING, Mich. – Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates rose in 15 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 exhibited modest jobless rate advances during October,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “However, payroll jobs and labor force levels rose considerably in most Michigan regions over the year.”

Regional jobless rates in the state ranged from 3.6 to 5.7 percent in October, with a median rate increase of 0.2 percentage points. The largest over-the-month rate increase occurred in the Monroe metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Unemployment rates were unchanged over the month in the Battle Creek and Upper Peninsula regions. 

All 17 Michigan regions exhibited jobless rate gains over the year, with a median rate increase of 0.9 percentage points. The Monroe metro area demonstrated the largest over-the-year rate gain (+1.4 percentage points).  

Total employment down over month, up over year

Fifteen Michigan labor market areas displayed employment decreases over the month, with a median employment reduction of 0.7 percent. The largest over-the-month employment decrease occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-2.6 percent).

Ten Michigan regions exhibited gains in the number of employed over the year, with a median increase of 0.6 percent. The most pronounced over-the-year employment increase was observed in the Lansing metro area. Six regions demonstrated employment reductions over the year, and the number of employed remained unchanged in the Muskegon MSA since October 2023.  

Regional labor force levels down over month, up over year

Labor force levels fell in 14 Michigan regions over the month, with a median decrease of 0.6 percent. The largest over-the-month labor force reduction occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (-2.2 percent).    

Fourteen regions exhibited labor force gains over the year, with a median increase of 1.2 percent. The most pronounced over-the-year workforce gain occurred in the Lansing MSA (+2.6 percent).

Regional payroll employment advances in October

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs rose by 13,000, or 0.3 percent, over the month. Increases in multiple statewide industries such as government (+10,000) and private education and health services (+9,000) were partially offset by a seasonal drop in the state’s leisure and hospitality sector (-11,000).   

Payroll jobs rose in 10 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.5 percent. The largest employment gain occurred in the Lansing MSA (+2.0 percent). Nonfarm employment fell in three areas during October and remained unchanged in the Detroit MSA.

Michigan total nonfarm employment increased by 49,000, or 1.1 percent, over the year. Ten metro areas displayed payroll job gains during this period, while four regions exhibited nonfarm employment reductions.

County unemployment rates up over month and year

Seventy-one Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate gains over the month, with a median increase of 0.3 percentage points. Eighty-two Michigan counties exhibited jobless rate advances since October 2023.  

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 October workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a ranking of county jobless rates for October.

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