DELEG - July Unemployment Rates Little Changed in Most of Michigan's Regional Labor Markets

August 27, 2009 – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates generally showed only small changes over the month in Michigan's 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth. In July, employment and labor force levels were also little changed in the majority of areas.

"It was a very unusual July for Michigan's local labor markets. Typically, jobless rates spike upward in most regions due to planned layoffs for retooling in the auto industry. This did not occur in July 2009 because of structural changes within the auto industry." said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "Many of the workers typically impacted by July model-changeover shutdowns were already on layoff in June."

From June to July, 13 of the 17 major labor market areas recorded unemployment rate changes of only plus or minus 0.3 of a percentage point. Jobless rates were down slightly in eight regions, with the largest reduction of 0.7 of a percentage point registered in the Upper Peninsula. Minor jobless rate increases were recorded in seven areas over the month, with the most pronounced advance of 0.6 of a percentage point reported in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Jobless rates in both the Monroe and Niles-Benton Harbor MSAs were unchanged from June to July. Michigan's major labor market area unemployment rates in July ranged from 10.3 percent in the Ann Arbor MSA to 17.7 percent in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA.

Unemployment Rates Up Substantially in All Regions Over Year
From July 2008 to July 2009, jobless rates rose substantially in all 17 regions. Rate increases ranged from 3.2 to 8.4 percentage points with a median advance of 5.0 percentage points. The largest over-the-year advances were shown in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia,Muskegon-Norton Shores, and Jackson MSAs. The smallest over-the-year rate hikes were posted in the Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo-Portage MSAs along with the Upper Peninsula.

Total Employment Mixed Over Month, Down Over Year
Over the month, total employment rose in nine regions. Increases were moderate, with an average gain of a half percent. The largest advance in July was displayed in the Northwest Lower Michigan region. Seven regions recorded mostly minor total employment declines over the month with the Monroe and Flint MSAs registering the largest reductions. The employment level in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA was essentially unchanged in July.

Since July 2008, total employment fell substantially in all 17 regions. The average over-the-year drop for Michigan's regional labor markets was 7.5%; however several areas posted declines around 10.0 percent.

Labor Force Levels Mixed Over Month, Down Over Year
In July, most of the regional areas reported only moderate changes in their respective labor force levels. The leading over-the-month labor force gain was in the Northwest Lower Michigan Region, while the most prevalent decline was shown in the Monroe MSA. From July 2008 to July 2009, labor force levels fell in all 17 regions, with a median decline of nearly 2.0 percent.

Payroll Jobs Lower Due to Seasonal Drop in Local Education
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan fell by 65,000 in July to 3,834,000. This July decline was far less than typically expected. Layoffs in auto related manufacturing that normally occur in July due to model-changeover were nearly non-existent this year. Many workers that are typically laid off over the retooling period were already unemployed in June due to the major restructuring in the auto industry.

In July, private sector jobs declined statewide by 14,000 or 0.4 percent. Job reductions in trade, transportation and utilities (-7,000), professional and business services (-5,000), and in private education (‑4,000) were somewhat offset by gains in leisure and hospitality services (+4,000).

Government jobs fell by 51,000 or 8.0 percent in July, primarily the result of cutbacks in local education due to summer break at area schools. The decline in local government education was evident in all metropolitan areas.

From July 2008 to July 2009, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs fell statewide by 270,000 or 6.6 percent.

All of the 14 major metropolitan areas in the state recorded significant payroll job declines since July 2008 ranging from 3.2 to 8.3 percent. The largest numerical over-the-year metropolitan job losses were reported in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia (-140,000), Grand Rapids-Wyoming (-17,000) and Flint (-11,000) MSAs. The biggest percentage reductions were recorded in the Holland-Grand Haven (-8.3%), Flint (-7.7%), and Detroit-Warren-Livonia andNiles-Benton Harbor (-7.5%) MSAs.

Jobs in construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities, information, financial activities, and professional and business services were down in all metropolitan areas since July 2008.
Note: Payroll job estimates were recently restored for the Bay City and Monroe MSAs, please see page six of this release for more information.

County Jobless Rates Down Over Month, Up Over Year
Fifty of Michigan's 83 counties recorded unemployment rate reductions over the month, with a median decrease of a half percentage point. Nearly all of the Michigan counties with the largest over-the-month declines were located in the state's northern areas. Twenty-six counties registered moderate jobless rate increases, and the rates in seven counties were unchanged from June to July.

From July 2008 to July 2009, unemployment rates were up in all 83 counties, with a significant median jump of 5.0 percentage points.

Note: Data in this release is not seasonally adjusted. As a result, employment and unemployment trends may differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted data.

A breakdown of seasonally unadjusted July workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for July.

Note to Editors: Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads "Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth."

The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs.

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
ANN ARBOR MSA				month	year
(Washtenaw County)
Civilian Labor Force	185,400	178,800	179,000	0.1%	-3.5%
Total Employment	172,300	159,800	160,500	0.4%	-6.8%
Unemployment	13,100	19,000	18,400	-3.2%	40.5%
Rate (percent)	7.1	10.6	10.3

Contact: Mark Reffitt, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 492-5550

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
BATTLE CREEK MSA				month	year
(Calhoun County)
Civilian Labor Force	70,700	68,200	68,500	0.4%	-3.1%
Total Employment	64,500	59,000	59,200	0.3%	-8.2%
Unemployment	6,200	9,200	9,300	1.1%	50.0%
Rate (percent)	8.7	13.5	13.6

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
BAY CITY MSA				month	year
(Bay County)
Civilian Labor Force	55,900	55,200	55,200	0.0%	-1.3%
Total Employment	51,200	47,700	47,900	0.4%	-6.4%
Unemployment	4,700	7,500	7,300	-2.7%	55.3%
Rate (percent)	8.5	13.6	13.3

Contact: Rhea Acuna, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
DETROIT-WARREN-LIVONIA MSA				month	year
(Data in thousands)
(Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer,
Livingston, St. Clair counties)
Civilian Labor Force	2,137	2,122	2,136	0.7%	-0.0%
Total Employment	1,939	1,758	1,758	0.0%	-9.3%
Unemployment	199	364	378	3.8%	89.9%
Rate (percent)	9.3	17.1	17.7

Contact: Jim Rhein, DELEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
FLINT MSA				month	year
(Genesee County)
Civilian Labor Force	205,400	197,300	195,800	-0.8%	-4.7%
Total Employment	180,400	162,800	161,300	-0.9%	-10.6%
Unemployment	25,000	34,500	34,400	-0.3%	37.6%
Rate (percent)	12.2	17.5	17.6

Contact: Rhea Acuna, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
GRAND RAPIDS - WYOMING MSA				month	year
(Barry, Ionia, Kent , Newaygo counties)
Civilian Labor Force	408,500	399,700	397,000	-0.7%	-2.8%
Total Employment	375,000	348,600	346,700	-0.5%	-7.5%
Unemployment	33,400	51,100	50,300	-1.6%	50.6%
Rate (percent)	8.2	12.8	12.7

Contact: Jason Palmer, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
HOLLAND - GRAND HAVEN MSA				month	year
(Ottawa County)
Civilian Labor Force	136,100	132,400	131,900	-0.4%	-3.1%
Total Employment	125,500	113,800	113,500	-0.3%	-9.6%
Unemployment	10,600	18,600	18,400	-1.1%	73.6%
Rate (percent)	7.8	14.0	13.9

Contact: Jason Palmer, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
JACKSON MSA				month	year
(Jackson County)
Civilian Labor Force	77,500	76,300	76,400	0.1%	-1.4%
Total Employment	70,100	64,500	64,300	-0.3%	-8.3%
Unemployment	7,500	11,800	12,200	3.4%	62.7%
Rate (percent)	9.6	15.5	15.9

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
KALAMAZOO - PORTAGE MSA				month	year
(Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties)
Civilian Labor Force	176,000	171,500	170,800	-0.4%	-3.0%
Total Employment	162,200	150,700	150,000	-0.5%	-7.5%
Unemployment	13,800	20,800	20,800	0.0%	50.7%
Rate (percent)	7.9	12.1	12.2

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
LANSING - EAST LANSING MSA				month	year
(Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties)
Civilian Labor Force	249,900	243,900	245,100	0.5%	-1.9%
Total Employment	230,900	213,700	214,100	0.2%	-7.3%
Unemployment	19,000	30,200	31,000	2.6%	63.2%
Rate (percent)	7.6	12.4	12.7

Contact: Mark Reffitt, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 492-5550

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
MONROE MSA				month	year
(Monroe County)
Civilian Labor Force	76,900	77,900	76,500	-1.8%	-0.5%
Total Employment	68,500	64,600	63,400	-1.9%	-7.4%
Unemployment	8,400	13,300	13,000	-2.3%	54.8%
Rate (percent)	10.9	17.0	17.0

Contact: Jim Rhein, DELEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
MUSKEGON - NORTON SHORES MSA				month	year
(Muskegon County)
Civilian Labor Force	91,800	89,800	90,100	0.3%	-1.9%
Total Employment	82,700	74,800	74,900	0.1%	-9.4%
Unemployment	9,200	15,100	15,200	0.7%	65.2%
Rate (percent)	10.0	16.8	16.9

Contact: Jason Palmer, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
NILES - BENTON HARBOR MSA				month	year
(Berrien County)
Civilian Labor Force	83,100	79,300	79,200	-0.1%	-4.7%
Total Employment	75,600	68,200	68,100	-0.1%	-9.9%
Unemployment	7,500	11,100	11,100	0.0%	48.0%
Rate (percent)	9.0	14.0	14.0

Contact: Leonidas Murembya, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 841-5634

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
SAGINAW-Saginaw Township North MSA				month	year
(Saginaw County)
Civilian Labor Force	95,700	94,100	94,000	-0.1%	-1.8%
Total Employment	86,700	80,300	80,400	0.1%	-7.3%
Unemployment	9,100	13,800	13,600	-1.4%	49.5%
Rate (percent)	9.5	14.7	14.5

Contact: Rhea Acuna, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
UPPER PENINSULA LMA				month	year
(15 counties)
Civilian Labor Force	162,600	160,000	160,800	0.5%	-1.1%
Total Employment	149,600	139,100	141,000	1.4%	-5.7%
Unemployment	13,100	20,900	19,800	-5.3%	51.1%
Rate (percent)	8.0	13.0	12.3

Contact: Jim Rhein, DELEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN				month	year
(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford,
Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw,Oscoda,
Otsego, Presque Isle,Roscommon counties)
Civilian Labor Force	99,000	97,600	97,700	0.1%	-1.3%
Total Employment	89,000	82,700	83,000	0.4%	-6.7%
Unemployment	10,000	15,000	14,700	-2.0%	47.0%
Rate (percent)	10.1	15.3	15.1

Contact: Jim Rhein, DELEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN				month	year
(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie,
Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau,
Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties)
Civilian Labor Force	167,200	162,300	164,900	1.6%	-1.4%
Total Employment	153,200	140,200	143,400	2.3%	-6.4%
Unemployment	14,000	22,000	21,600	-1.8%	54.3%
Rate (percent)	8.4	13.6	13.1

Contact: Jim Rhein, DELEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

	Jul-08	Jun-09	Jul-09	% change	% change
MICHIGAN (Data in thousands)				month	year
Civilian Labor Force	5,017	4,942	4,950	0.2%	-1.3%
Total Employment	4,559	4,180	4,178	-0.0%	-8.4%
Unemployment	458	761	772	1.4%	68.6%
Rate (percent)	9.1	15.4	15.6

Contact: Jim Rhein, DELEG Economic Analyst (313) 456-3095

Note: With the release of the June 2009 data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has resumed publication of nonfarm all employee series for 65 small metropolitan areas. These had been discontinued in March 2008 due to a reduction in funding that resulted from the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act enacted December 26, 2007.

The funds to produce these series were restored with the 2009 Omnibus Appropriation Act enacted on March 11, 2009. The two Michigan metropolitan areas for which BLS has resumed publication of nonfarm series are: Bay City MSA ( Bay County) and Monroe MSA (Monroe County). Nonfarm payroll data are featured on page 2 of this release.

For additional information please contact (313) 456-3090 or visit www.michigan.gov/lmi for the revised data series.

MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE JULY 2009

1	Mackinac County	5.8	43	Saginaw County	14.5
2	Leelanau County	8.1	44	Mecosta County	14.7
3	Cheboygan County	9.2	45	Keweenaw County	14.8
4	Isabella County	9.5	46	Otsego County	14.9
5	Washtenaw County	10.3	47	Newaygo County	14.9
6	Midland County	10.6	48	Alpena County	15.0
7	Marquette County	10.6	49	Ionia County	15.4
8	Clinton County	11.1	50	Roscommon County	15.4
9	Cass County	11.1	51	Branch County	15.5
10	Barry County	11.2	52	Oakland County	15.5
11	Houghton County	11.4	53	Jackson County	15.9
12	Eaton County	11.7	54	St. Joseph County	16.0
13	Grand Traverse County	11.7	55	Oceana County	16.1
14	Kalamazoo County	11.8	56	Huron County	16.2
15	Iron County	11.9	57	Gratiot County	16.4
16	Emmet County	11.9	58	Missaukee County	16.5
17	Benzie County	12.1	59	Presque Isle County	16.7
18	Chippewa County	12.2	60	Arenac County	16.9
19	Kent County	12.4	61	Muskegon County	16.9
20	Dickinson County	12.6	62	Shiawassee County	17.0
21	Alger County	12.7	63	Monroe County	17.0
22	Luce County	12.8	64	Iosco County	17.0
23	Manistee County	12.8	65	Genesee County	17.6
24	Ontonagon County	13.0	66	Gladwin County	17.6
25	Mason County	13.1	67	Osceola County	17.9
26	Delta County	13.2	68	Clare County	18.2
27	Bay County	13.3	69	Lenawee County	18.2
28	Van Buren County	13.4	70	Tuscola County	18.3
29	Ingham County	13.4	71	Macomb County	18.6
30	Charlevoix County	13.4	72	Lake County	18.7
31	Livingston County	13.4	73	Lapeer County	18.9
32	Calhoun County	13.6	74	Wayne County	19.0
33	Allegan County	13.7	75	Montcalm County	19.0
34	Schoolcraft County	13.7	76	Alcona County	19.2
35	Ogemaw County	13.8	77	St. Clair County	19.4
36	Gogebic County	13.8	78	Montmorency County	19.7
37	Ottawa County	13.9	79	Sanilac County	19.7
38	Berrien County	14.0	80	Hillsdale County	20.0
39	Crawford County	14.2	81	Oscoda County	20.3
40	Antrim County	14.3	82	Wexford County	20.6
41	Menominee County	14.4	83	Baraga County	24.5
42	Kalkaska County	14.4

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