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April Jobless Rates Fall in All of Michigan's Major Labor Market AreasContact: Maura Campbell (517) 373-9280 Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
May 28, 2004
Bruce
Weaver, interim director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic
Initiatives for the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, announced
today that April seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates fell in all of Michigan's
12 major labor market areas. Employment levels increased in the majority of
the areas, while labor force levels declined in all areas from March to April.
"Jobless
rates fell in April by a little more than what was expected or has been historically
typical," Weaver said. "Solid payroll employment growth in several industry
sectors helped bolster many areas' labor market condition."
The jobless
rate declines throughout the state's various major labor markets were significant,
ranging from a little over a full percentage point to almost four percentage
points. The median jobless rate decline for the 12 areas was 1.6 percentage
points, essentially matching the seasonally unadjusted statewide drop of 1.7
percentage points over the month.
Among
the state's 12 regions in April, the Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA) displayed the lowest unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, while the Northeast
Lower Michigan Region recorded the highest rate of 9.1 percent.
Employment Up, Labor Force Down Over Month
From March to April, employment levels increased in eight of the
12 areas. Relatively strong seasonal employment growth occurred in both the
Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan regions, while the Benton Harbor MSA
reported an above-average over-the-month increase. Employment gains in the
remaining five areas were more modest. Employment declined slightly in four
areas in April.
Over
the month, labor force levels fell seasonally in all major labor market areas,
with an average decline of 1.4 percent.
Unemployment Rates Decline Over Year
From April 2003 to April 2004, jobless rates were down in all major
labor market areas.
The declines
ranged widely from 0.3 of a percentage point to 2.5 percentage points, with
half the areas' rates decreasing by more than a full percentage point. The
largest over-the-year jobless rate drops were recorded in the Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland
MSA, the Northeast Lower Michigan Region, and the Jackson MSA.
Large Seasonal Gains In Payroll Employment
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted
payroll jobs in Michigan increased in April by 46,000 to total 4,372,000. Gains
were widespread and seasonal throughout most industry sectors. Employment expanded
substantially in two sectors statewide: professional and business services added
19,000 jobs, while construction added 17,000. Other notable gains were recorded
in leisure and hospitality services (+7,000); trade, transportation and utilities
(+5,000); and education and health services (+4,000). Government (-7,000) was
the only major industry category to report a noteworthy employment decline in
April. This decline was due primarily to a short-term decrease in local government
education because of the holiday break. The remaining industry sectors statewide
changed little over the month.
All metropolitan
areas reported payroll employment increases over the month with the largest
percentage gains recorded in the Benton Harbor, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Saginaw-Bay-Midland
MSAs. The majority of the increase in professional and business services employment
took place in the Detroit MSA. Construction employment advanced in all metropolitan
areas.
Over
the year, only three metropolitan areas in the state displayed payroll employment
growth: the Ann Arbor MSA (+1.5%), the Benton Harbor MSA (+1.3%), and the Grand
Rapids-Muskegon-Holland MSA (+1.0%). Since April 2003, all metropolitan areas
in the state registered manufacturing job losses.
County Jobless Rates Down Over Month,
Year
Eighty-one of Michigan's 83 counties recorded seasonal unemployment
rate declines in April. County jobless rates fell over the month by the considerable
average of a little over two percentage points. Many of the counties that posted
significant rate drops were located in northern Lower Michigan.
Over
the year, unemployment rates declined in 82 counties, while the rate in one
county was unchanged. The decreases in numerous counties were substantial,
with the rates in a third of the state's counties falling by two percentage
points or more.
A breakdown of seasonally unadjusted April workforce estimates
for Michigan and its 12 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing
of county jobless rates for April.
Note to Editors: Please
ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads "Michigan Department
of Labor & Economic Growth."
The Michigan
Department of Labor & Economic Growth is the newest department of state
government. It is charged with promoting economic growth, creating jobs and
enhancing the quality of life for Michigan citizens. Part of this mission also
includes meeting Michigan's workforce needs to enhance and maintain its economy.
To this end, the state's career and workforce development programs work with
employers, K-12 schools, community colleges, and local Workforce Development
Boards to operate a comprehensive career development system.
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
ANN ARBOR MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
308,400
|
320,300
|
318,200
|
-0.7%
|
3.2%
|
|
Total Employment
|
296,000
|
306,000
|
307,600
|
0.5%
|
3.9%
|
|
Unemployment
|
12,400
|
14,300
|
10,600
|
-25.9%
|
-14.5%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
4.0
|
4.5
|
3.3
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Erica Nakfoor, OLMI Regional Economic Analyst (517) 492-5550
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
BENTON HARBOR MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Berrien County)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
79,300
|
82,500
|
81,900
|
-0.7%
|
3.3%
|
|
Total Employment
|
74,200
|
76,200
|
77,100
|
1.2%
|
3.9%
|
|
Unemployment
|
5,100
|
6,200
|
4,900
|
-21.0%
|
-3.9%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
6.4
|
7.6
|
6.0
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Leonidas Murembya, OLMI Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
DETROIT
MSA (Data in thousands)
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lapeer,
St. Clair counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
2,211
|
2,229
|
2,200
|
-1.3%
|
-0.5%
|
|
Total Employment
|
2,056
|
2,059
|
2,066
|
0.3%
|
0.5%
|
|
Unemployment
|
155
|
171
|
134
|
-21.6%
|
-13.5%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
7.0
|
7.7
|
6.1
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Jim Rhein, OLMI Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
FLINT MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Genesee County)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
182,500
|
186,400
|
182,100
|
-2.3%
|
-0.2%
|
|
Total Employment
|
165,800
|
168,200
|
168,000
|
-0.1%
|
1.3%
|
|
Unemployment
|
16,700
|
18,300
|
14,100
|
-23.0%
|
-15.6%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
9.2
|
9.8
|
7.8
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Jim Rhein, OLMI Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS - MUSKEGON - HOLLAND MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Allegan counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
598,300
|
610,800
|
599,800
|
-1.8%
|
0.3%
|
|
Total Employment
|
549,100
|
566,400
|
565,300
|
-0.2%
|
3.0%
|
|
Unemployment
|
49,100
|
44,400
|
34,500
|
-22.3%
|
-29.7%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
8.2
|
7.3
|
5.7
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Brian Waters, OLMI Regional Economic Analyst (616) 393-7219
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
JACKSON MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Jackson County)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
78,000
|
79,700
|
78,100
|
-2.0%
|
0.1%
|
|
Total Employment
|
71,900
|
73,600
|
73,400
|
-0.3%
|
2.1%
|
|
Unemployment
|
6,100
|
6,100
|
4,700
|
-23.0%
|
-23.0%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
7.8
|
7.7
|
6.1
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Leonidas Murembya, OLMI Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
KALAMAZOO - BATTLE CREEK MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Kalamazoo, Calhoun and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Van Buren counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
229,200
|
235,700
|
231,600
|
-1.7%
|
1.0%
|
|
Total Employment
|
216,000
|
220,100
|
219,100
|
-0.5%
|
1.4%
|
|
Unemployment
|
13,200
|
15,600
|
12,500
|
-19.9%
|
-5.3%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
5.8
|
6.6
|
5.4
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Leonidas Murembya, OLMI Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
LANSING MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Clinton, Eaton, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingham counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
246,400
|
252,000
|
248,800
|
-1.3%
|
1.0%
|
|
Total Employment
|
235,600
|
238,500
|
238,600
|
0.0%
|
1.3%
|
|
Unemployment
|
10,800
|
13,500
|
10,200
|
-24.4%
|
-5.6%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
4.4
|
5.3
|
4.1
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Erica Nakfoor, OLMI Regional Economic Analyst (517) 492-5550
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
SAGINAW - BAY - MIDLAND MSA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Saginaw, Bay, Midland counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
193,500
|
193,200
|
190,700
|
-1.3%
|
-1.4%
|
|
Total Employment
|
178,000
|
176,000
|
176,800
|
0.5%
|
-0.7%
|
|
Unemployment
|
15,500
|
17,200
|
13,900
|
-19.2%
|
-10.3%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
8.0
|
8.9
|
7.3
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Jim Rhein, OLMI Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
UPPER PENINSULA LMA
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(15 counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
150,300
|
152,900
|
150,700
|
-1.4%
|
0.3%
|
|
Total Employment
|
137,000
|
139,000
|
139,700
|
0.5%
|
2.0%
|
|
Unemployment
|
13,300
|
13,800
|
11,000
|
-20.3%
|
-17.3%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
8.8
|
9.1
|
7.3
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Kathy Salow, OLMI Regional Economic Analyst (906) 226-3669
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iosco, Montmorency,Ogemaw, Oscoda,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otsego,
Presque Isle, Roscommon counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
91,375
|
92,300
|
90,250
|
-2.2%
|
-1.2%
|
|
Total Employment
|
80,750
|
80,375
|
82,075
|
2.1%
|
1.6%
|
|
Unemployment
|
10,600
|
11,950
|
8,175
|
-31.6%
|
-22.9%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
11.6
|
12.9
|
9.1
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Jim Rhein, OLMI Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
146,400
|
149,350
|
147,100
|
-1.5%
|
0.5%
|
|
Total Employment
|
133,575
|
135,175
|
136,600
|
1.1%
|
2.3%
|
|
Unemployment
|
12,800
|
14,175
|
10,500
|
-25.9%
|
-18.0%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
8.7
|
9.5
|
7.1
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Jim Rhein, OLMI Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Apr-03
|
Mar-04
|
Apr-04
|
% change
|
% change
|
|
MICHIGAN
(Data in thousands)
|
|
|
|
month
|
year
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
4,964
|
5,043
|
4,971
|
-1.4%
|
0.1%
|
|
Total Employment
|
4,608
|
4,657
|
4,672
|
0.3%
|
1.4%
|
|
Unemployment
|
356
|
386
|
298
|
-22.8%
|
-16.3%
|
|
Rate (percent)
|
7.2
|
7.7
|
6.0
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact:
Jim Rhein, OLMI Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095
|
|
MICHIGAN
COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE - APRIL 2004
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
WASHTENAW
COUNTY
|
2.7
|
|
43
|
ALPENA
COUNTY
|
7.4
|
|
2
|
CLINTON
COUNTY
|
3.3
|
|
44
|
IRON
COUNTY
|
7.4
|
|
3
|
EATON
COUNTY
|
3.5
|
|
45
|
MONTCALM
COUNTY
|
7.4
|
|
4
|
CASS
COUNTY
|
3.6
|
|
46
|
CRAWFORD
COUNTY
|
7.5
|
|
5
|
LIVINGSTON
COUNTY
|
3.7
|
|
47
|
OCEANA
COUNTY
|
7.5
|
|
6
|
ISABELLA
COUNTY
|
3.7
|
|
48
|
ST.
CLAIR COUNTY
|
7.6
|
|
7
|
BARRY
COUNTY
|
4.0
|
|
49
|
WEXFORD
COUNTY
|
7.6
|
|
8
|
OTTAWA
COUNTY
|
4.3
|
|
50
|
MUSKEGON
COUNTY
|
7.6
|
|
9
|
LEELANAU
COUNTY
|
4.3
|
|
51
|
BAY
COUNTY
|
7.7
|
|
10
|
INGHAM
COUNTY
|
4.5
|
|
52
|
CHARLEVOIX
COUNTY
|
7.8
|
|
11
|
KALAMAZOO
COUNTY
|
4.6
|
|
53
|
HURON
COUNTY
|
7.8
|
|
12
|
OAKLAND
COUNTY
|
4.6
|
|
54
|
DELTA
COUNTY
|
7.8
|
|
13
|
LENAWEE
COUNTY
|
4.9
|
|
55
|
GENESEE
COUNTY
|
7.8
|
|
14
|
MIDLAND
COUNTY
|
5.4
|
|
56
|
MANISTEE
COUNTY
|
7.9
|
|
15
|
GRATIOT
COUNTY
|
5.5
|
|
57
|
SAGINAW
COUNTY
|
7.9
|
|
16
|
ST
JOSEPH COUNTY
|
5.5
|
|
58
|
CHIPPEWA
COUNTY
|
8.0
|
|
17
|
MECOSTA
COUNTY
|
5.5
|
|
59
|
ALGER
COUNTY
|
8.1
|
|
18
|
MONROE
COUNTY
|
5.6
|
|
60
|
GOGEBIC
COUNTY
|
8.1
|
|
19
|
BRANCH
COUNTY
|
5.7
|
|
61
|
OGEMAW
COUNTY
|
8.2
|
|
20
|
MACOMB
COUNTY
|
5.7
|
|
62
|
TUSCOLA
COUNTY
|
8.4
|
|
21
|
GRAND
TRAVERSE COUNTY
|
5.8
|
|
63
|
KALKASKA
COUNTY
|
8.5
|
|
22
|
HOUGHTON
COUNTY
|
5.8
|
|
64
|
MASON
COUNTY
|
8.6
|
|
23
|
KENT
COUNTY
|
5.9
|
|
65
|
ROSCOMMON
COUNTY
|
8.8
|
|
24
|
DICKINSON
COUNTY
|
6.0
|
|
66
|
ANTRIM
COUNTY
|
8.8
|
|
25
|
IONIA
COUNTY
|
6.0
|
|
67
|
IOSCO
COUNTY
|
9.1
|
|
26
|
ALLEGAN
COUNTY
|
6.0
|
|
68
|
EMMET
COUNTY
|
9.4
|
|
27
|
MARQUETTE
COUNTY
|
6.0
|
|
69
|
ALCONA
COUNTY
|
9.4
|
|
28
|
BERRIEN
COUNTY
|
6.0
|
|
70
|
ONTONAGON
COUNTY
|
9.7
|
|
29
|
MENOMINEE
COUNTY
|
6.1
|
|
71
|
SANILAC
COUNTY
|
9.7
|
|
30
|
JACKSON
COUNTY
|
6.1
|
|
72
|
CLARE
COUNTY
|
9.8
|
|
31
|
CALHOUN
COUNTY
|
6.2
|
|
73
|
ARENAC
COUNTY
|
10.3
|
|
32
|
SHIAWASSEE
COUNTY
|
6.4
|
|
74
|
GLADWIN
COUNTY
|
10.4
|
|
33
|
HILLSDALE
COUNTY
|
6.5
|
|
75
|
LAKE
COUNTY
|
10.4
|
|
34
|
LUCE
COUNTY
|
6.7
|
|
76
|
BARAGA
COUNTY
|
10.9
|
|
35
|
VAN
BUREN COUNTY
|
6.7
|
|
77
|
SCHOOLCRAFT
COUNTY
|
11.1
|
|
36
|
OSCEOLA
COUNTY
|
6.9
|
|
78
|
CHEBOYGAN
COUNTY
|
11.3
|
|
37
|
MISSAUKEE
COUNTY
|
6.9
|
|
79
|
PRESQUE
ISLE COUNTY
|
11.3
|
|
38
|
BENZIE
COUNTY
|
7.2
|
|
80
|
OSCODA
COUNTY
|
11.9
|
|
39
|
WAYNE
COUNTY
|
7.2
|
|
81
|
KEWEENAW
COUNTY
|
12.7
|
|
40
|
LAPEER
COUNTY
|
7.2
|
|
82
|
MACKINAC
COUNTY
|
13.0
|
|
41
|
NEWAYGO
COUNTY
|
7.2
|
|
83
|
MONTMORENCY
COUNTY
|
14.3
|
|
42
|
OTSEGO
COUNTY
|
7.2
|
|
|
|
|
Related Documents> Read more press releases from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth - 287 bytes
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