Not seasonally adjusted jobless rates decreased in 15 of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics.
“Michigan regional labor markets saw unemployment rates decline in April,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Decreases were also recorded in labor force, employment, and unemployment for a majority of areas this month.”
Michigan regional jobless rates ranged from 3.0 to 6.8 percent in April, with a median rate decrease of 0.2 percentage points over the month. The largest over-the-month rate reduction occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. The Flint and Muskegon metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) demonstrated no change in jobless rate since March.
All 17 Michigan labor market areas exhibited jobless rate increases over the year, with a median rate gain of 0.5 percentage points.
Total employment down over month, up over year
Sixteen Michigan regions demonstrated employment reductions over the month, with a median decrease of 0.5 percent. The most pronounced employment decline occurred in the Upper Peninsula region (-0.9 percent). The Northeast Lower Michigan region was the only labor market to exhibit an employment increase during April (+0.6 percent).
Employment rose in 14 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 1.2 percent. The largest over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Niles MSA (+2.3 percent).
