LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged over the month, remaining at 5.3 percent during July, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment fell by 5,000 over the month, and the number of unemployed people edged down by 1,000. Michigan’s labor force decreased by 5,000 during July.

“Michigan’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in July at 5.3 percent as small decreases in employment and unemployment caused a minor reduction in the state’s labor force,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Seasonally adjusted payroll jobs rose slightly over the month due to a majority of industries remaining stable or showing slight job additions.”

The national unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.2 percent. Michigan’s July jobless rate was 1.1 percentage points larger than the U.S. rate. The national unemployment rate was unchanged over the year, while Michigan’s rate advanced by half a percentage point since July 2024.

Labor force trends and highlights

• Michigan’s July labor force total of 5,077,000 was the lowest workforce seen in the state since August 2024.
• Total employment in the state receded by 0.1 percent over the month, a reduction similar to the employment decrease seen nationally (-0.2 percent).
• The total number of unemployed in the state advanced by 10.2 percent over the year, while the national unemployment total increased by 2.0 percent.
• The July statewide labor force participation rate receded by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 61.6 percent. Michigan’s employment-population ratio was unchanged in July at 58.4 percent.

Detroit metro area unemployment rate unchanged in July

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8 percent during July. Employment in the Detroit MSA rose by 5,000, while unemployment edged down by 1,000. The Detroit metro area workforce advanced by 5,000 over the month.

Over the year, the Detroit metro area unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points. Employment rose by 17,000 and unemployment advanced by 4,000 since July 2024.  

Payroll jobs increase during July

According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 3,000 during July, resulting in a job total of 4,529,000.

Industry employment trends and highlights

• Michigan’s government sector recorded the greatest over-the-month job gain, with employment advancing by 3,000 in July.
• Monthly job gains were partially offset by decreases in professional and business services (-3,000) and leisure and hospitality (-2,000).
• Over the year, statewide total nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 58,000 or 1.3 percent.
• On a numerical basis, the private education and health services (+22,000), government (+13,000), and construction (+10,000) sectors saw the most significant industry job additions since July 2024.

Revision to previous month’s payroll jobs

• Following the standard monthly revision process, June total payroll jobs have been adjusted upward by 3,000 from 4,523,000 to 4,526,000.
• The over-the-month change from May to June was revised from -9,000 to -6,000.
• Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.

For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.