November 27, 2007- Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates edged downward over the month in 13 of Michigan's 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.  In October, total employment and labor force levels declined seasonally in most regions.

"Labor market changes in October were minor and fairly typical for this time of the year, with the exception of several areas impacted by short term layoffs in manufacturing," said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "Generally, Michigan's labor force declines in October due to the withdrawal of summer and seasonal workers."

From September to October, the unemployment rate reductions in the 13 regions were minor, showing a median decrease of only 0.2 of a percentage point.  Three areas reported jobless rate increases over the month, with the largest advance posted in the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).  This was due to short term layoffs within the auto industry in several facilities around the area.  Other, more minor rate hikes in October occurred in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA and the Northwest Lower Michigan Region.  The unemployment rate in the Northeast Lower Michigan Region was unchanged over the month.

Regional Unemployment Rates Up Since October 2006
From October 2006 to October 2007, jobless rates increased in all 17 of the state's major labor market areas.  Rate increases over the year ranged from half of a percentage point to 2.1 percentage points, with the majority of regions recording jobless rate hikes of around a percentage point.

Total Employment Down Over Month, Year
From September to October, total employment levels declined in 14 regions.  Most of the over-the-month total employment declines were moderate with the exception of a few areas including both the Northeast and Northwest Lower Michigan Regions.  These two areas registered a combined seasonal employment decline of nearly 5,000 with the ending of the summer tourism season.

Since October 2006, total employment declined in 16 regions, with significant drops in a number of areas.  Total employment rose slightly over the year in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA.

Labor Force Levels Down Over Month, Year
In October, labor force levels declined seasonally in 14 areas by an average of 0.8 percent, and increased slightly in three regions.

From October 2006 to October 2007, labor force levels fell in 15 regions and increased slightly in two areas.

Offsetting Events Leave Payroll Employment Little Changed
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan were essentially unchanged in October, edging upward by just 1,000 to total 4,307,000.  Within the public sector, job gains occurred in local government education (+17,000) and state government education (+6,000) with the continued return of students to colleges, universities and local schools.  The increases in government education were evident statewide.

Private sector payroll jobs declined by 21,000 in October as a seasonal drop in leisure and hospitality services (-14,000) was only partially offset by expected gains in private education (+4,000) and retail trade (+3,000).  The only other notable change in private sector employment was an over-the-month drop in manufacturing jobs of 9,000.  This was primarily due to short term layoffs in the auto-industry, which mostly impacted areas in and around the Monroe and Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSAs.

Most metropolitan areas in the state reported very little net change in payroll employment over the month.

From October 2006 to October 2007, seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs fell statewide by 76,000 or 1.7 percent.  Of the 14 metropolitan areas, nine reported job declines while five displayed gains.  The majority of metropolitan areas recorded mostly moderate changes in payroll jobs since October 2006.  In the nine areas that showed job loss since October 2006, only three metro regions recorded significant drops.  Jobs fell in the Detroit area by 38,000, in the Flint MSA by 5,000 and in the Saginaw-Saginaw Township North MSA by 3,000.  Payroll jobs increased slightly over the year in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Kalamazoo-Portage, Muskegon-Norton Shores, and Monroe MSAs.

Over the year, manufacturing, construction, and retail trade employment were down in most metropolitan areas, while jobs in health services were up in nearly all regions.

County Jobless Rates Down Slightly Over Month, Up Over Year
Forty-nine of Michigan's 83 counties recorded minor jobless rate declines in October, with a median reduction of 0.3 of a percentage point.  Unemployment rates increased slightly over the month in 27 counties, while rates were unchanged in seven.  Luce and Monroe counties posted very large rate hikes in October due to separate short term layoff events.

From October 2006 to October 2007, unemployment rates were up in 78 of the state's counties, down in three counties, and unchanged in the remaining two counties.  Over-the-year rate increases averaged a full percentage point, and were significant in many counties.

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

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