Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates decreased 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.
“Michigan labor market areas demonstrated expected unemployment rate reductions during September,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Regional payroll jobs gains largely reflected seasonal hiring in education-related industries due to the start of the academic year.”
Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 3.5 to 5.2 percent in September, with a median rate reduction of 0.6 percentage points. The largest over-the-month rate decline occurred in the Monroe metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The Detroit metro area was the only region to exhibit a jobless rate increase over the month (+0.2 percentage points).
All 17 Michigan regions displayed unemployment rate gains over the year, with a median rate increase of half a percentage point. The Battle Creek and Muskegon MSAs each demonstrated the largest over-the-year rate gain (+0.7 percentage points).
Total employment up over month and year
Fifteen Michigan labor market areas exhibited employment increases over the month, with a median employment gain of 1.5 percent. The most pronounced over-the-month employment advance occurred in the Lansing MSA (+3.0 percent).
Sixteen Michigan regions demonstrated employment gains over the year, with a median increase of 1.5 percent. The largest hike occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region, with employment rising by 2.7 percent since September 2023.
