Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates rose in all 18 Michigan labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“In January, Michigan labor market areas demonstrated typical seasonal unemployment rate increases along with the usual winter reduction in payroll jobs,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Over the year, payroll jobs and workforce levels have increased throughout the state’s metro areas.”
Regional unemployment rates in the state ranged from 4.5 to 10.4 percent during January. Rate increases ranged from 0.4 to 1.6 percentage points, with a median increase of 0.8 percentage points. The largest over-the-month increase occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region.
Annual average unemployment rates advance in 2024
Annual regional unemployment rates rose in all 18 Michigan regions between 2023 and 2024, with a median increase of 0.7 percentage points. The most pronounced over-the-year rate gain occurred in the Monroe metro area (+1.0 percentage points).
Total employment down over month, up over year
Employment levels decreased in 13 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median reduction of 0.8 percent. The largest employment decrease occurred in the Lansing metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
Sixteen Michigan labor market areas demonstrated employment advances over the year, with a median increase of 1.4 percent. The Traverse City metro area exhibited the largest employment gain since January 2024 (+3.1 percent).
Regional labor force levels up over month and year
Regional workforce totals rose in 13 Michigan regions over the month, with a median increase of 0.6 percent. The most prominent over-the-month workforce gain occurred in the Bay City metro area (+1.4 percent). Workforce levels receded in four labor market areas in January and remained unchanged in the Muskegon MSA.
All 18 Michigan labor market areas exhibited labor force gains over the year, with a median increase of 3.2 percent. The largest over-the-year workforce advance occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+4.8 percent).
Regional nonfarm employment recedes in January
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs fell by 82,000, or 1.8 percent, over the month. Industries with the largest over-the-month reductions included trade, transportation, and utilities (-24,000) and government (-15,000).
All 15 Michigan metro areas demonstrated payroll job decreases over the month, with a median reduction of 1.9 percent. The largest nonfarm employment decline occurred in the Lansing MSA (-3.9 percent).
Michigan total nonfarm jobs increased by 42,000 over the year, or 1.0 percent. All 15 metro areas demonstrated job gains since January 2024, with a median increase of 1.4 percent.
County jobless rates up over month and year
Eighty-two Michigan counties displayed unemployment rate gains during January, with a median increase of 1.0 percentage points. All 83 Michigan counties exhibited unemployment rate increases since January 2024.
