December 22, 2005 – November seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose in Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.  Employment and labor force levels increased in most regions over the month.

"Throughout many regions in the state, labor market conditions were relatively typical for November," said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "The state’s three northern labor market areas recorded the largest unemployment rate increases due to expected seasonal declines in tourism-related employment."

From October to November, regional jobless rates advanced by an average of 0.7 of a percentage point.  The Northeast Lower Michigan Region, the Upper Peninsula, and the Northwest Lower Michigan Region, recorded the largest jobless rate hikes over the month of 2.0, 1.5 and 1.4 percentage points respectively.  The state’s 14 other major labor market areas registered more moderate unemployment rate gains in November, ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 of a percentage point.

All Regions Report Jobless Rate Declines Since November 2004
From November 2004 to November 2005, the rate decreases in the 17 areas ranged from 0.4 to 1.5 percentage points with an average decline of a full percentage point.  The largest decreases over the year were recorded in the Northeast Lower Michigan Region, along with the Grand Rapids-Wyoming and Saginaw-Saginaw Township North Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).

Total Employment Up Over Month, Year
From October to November, total employment increased in 13 regions.  These areas posted a moderate 0.6 percent average gain.  The largest rates of employment gain over the month were reported in the Muskegon-Norton Shores, Ann Arbor and Battle Creek MSAs.

Over the month, four regions recorded total employment declines.  The Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA reported a slight decrease, while the state’s three northernmost labor market regions posted significant, but typical employment drops with the ending of the summer tourism season.  Combined, these three northern areas accounted for a total employment decline of 6,700 over the month.

Since November 2004, total employment levels increased in all of the state’s major labor market areas.

Labor Force Levels Up Over Month, Year
In November, labor force levels increased in almost all regions; however, labor force levels were little changed in the state’s three northern labor markets over the month. 

Over the year, labor force levels increased in 12 regions and declined in five.

Payroll Jobs Up Slightly
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan edged upward in November by 4,000 to total 4,413,000.  Seasonal job gains were recorded in retail trade (+13,000), government (+6,000) and education and health services (+3,000).  The increase in retail trade employment was evident in all of the state’s major metropolitan areas as merchants hired additional workers for the holiday season.

Somewhat offsetting the payroll job increases over the month were seasonal declines in leisure and hospitality services (-10,000), construction (-5,000) and professional and business services (-3,000).  All other major industry sectors were little changed over the month. 

In November, most metropolitan areas in the state recorded only minor seasonal movement in payroll employment counts.

From November 2004 to November 2005, total payroll job levels were mixed in Michigan’s various metropolitan areas.  Gains were recorded in the Ann Arbor, Jackson, Lansing-East Lansing and Kalamazoo-Portage MSAs.  Payroll employment declined slightly over the year in the Muskegon-Norton Shores, Monroe, Grand Rapids-Wyoming, and Bay City MSAs.   The remaining six metropolitan areas in the state registered varying degrees of payroll job losses since November 2004.  These areas included the Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Flint, Battle Creek, Holland Grand Haven, Niles-Benton Harbor and Saginaw-Saginaw Township North MSAs.

A drop in manufacturing employment was responsible for much of the statewide payroll job decreases since November 2004.  Most metropolitan areas recorded declines in manufacturing over the year.

Since November 2004, the majority of metropolitan areas in the state registered declines in retail trade jobs, while most areas reported slight gains in leisure and hospitality services and in education and health services.

County Jobless Rates Up Over Month, Down Over Year
All of Michigan’s 83 counties recorded seasonal unemployment rate increases in November.  The average advance over the month was 1.1 percentage points.  For the most part, the largest November jobless rate hikes were in counties located in the state’s northern areas.

From November 2004 to November 2005, unemployment rates declined in 81 of the state’s counties, with a significant average decrease of over a full percentage point.  Jobless rates increased slightly in two counties since November 2004.

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 November workforce estimates for Michigan and its 17 major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates for November.

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

The Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) 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