Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates rose in 16 of Michigan’s 18 labor market areas over the month, according to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Unemployment rates have been trending upward across all regions of the state since this time last year due to a rising number of unemployed workers,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “However, most metro areas showed an increase in payroll jobs both over the month and over the year.”
Regional unemployment rates in the state ranged from 4.5 to 11.0 percent in February. Rate increases ranged from 0.1 to 0.6 percentage points, with a median increase of 0.3 percentage points. The largest over-the-month increase occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. The Detroit metropolitan statistical area (MSA) jobless rate edged down by 0.1 percentage points over the month, and the unemployment rate in the Ann Arbor MSA was unchanged since January.
Unemployment rates advanced in all 18 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median rate gain of 1.6 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate gain occurred in the Monroe metro area (+2.3 percentage points).
Total employment down over month, up over year
Total employment receded in 17 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median reduction of 0.6 percent. The largest employment decrease occurred in the Midland MSA.
Twelve Michigan labor market areas demonstrated employment gains over the year, with a median increase of 0.7 percent. The Traverse City metro area exhibited the largest employment gain since February 2024 (+2.7 percent).
Regional workforce levels down over month, up over year
Regional labor force levels receded in 13 Michigan regions over the month, with a median decrease of 0.4 percent. The most prominent over-the-month workforce reduction occurred in the Midland metro area (-1.1 percent). Labor force totals advanced in three labor market areas during February and remained unchanged in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo MSAs.
All 18 Michigan labor market areas demonstrated labor force gains over the year, with a median increase of 2.2 percent. The largest over-the-year workforce advance occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (+4.0 percent).
Regional nonfarm employment advances in February
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan not seasonally adjusted payroll jobs rose by 28,000, or 0.6 percent, over the month. Industries with the largest over-the-month increases included government (+18,000), professional and business services (+7,000), and manufacturing (+6,000).
Total nonfarm jobs advanced in 11 Michigan metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.5 percent. The largest payroll employment increase occurred in the Lansing MSA (+1.0 percent). Payroll jobs fell in the Midland, Bay City, Niles, and Saginaw metro areas since January.
Michigan total nonfarm jobs rose by 41,000 over the year, or 0.9 percent. Thirteen metro areas demonstrated job gains since February 2024, with a median increase of 1.3 percent.
County jobless rates up over month and year
Seventy-one Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate gains during February, with a median increase of 0.4 percentage points. All 83 Michigan counties exhibited unemployment rate increases since February 2024.
