August Unemployment Rates Decline Seasonally in All of Michigan's Regional Labor Markets - News Release
September
24, 2009 – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment
rates decreased over the month in all of
Michigan's
17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor
& Economic Growth. Although jobless
rates declined in August, total employment also fell in the majority of
regions, while labor force levels were reduced in all areas.
"Unemployment rates generally fall throughout
Michigan in
August due to a seasonal reduction in the number of unemployed seeking summer jobs,
and this year was no exception." said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of
Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "However, August employment levels remained
weak, declining in most regions."
From July to August, the unemployment rate
reductions in the 17 regions ranged from 0.6 to 2.1 percentage points with a
median decline of 0.8 of a percentage point. The largest over-the-month drops were reported in the
Monroe (-2.1) and Saginaw-Saginaw Township
North (-1.5) Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Seven areas registered rate decreases greater
than a full percentage point. In August,
16 of the 17 regions posted jobless rates above 10.0 percent.
Unemployment Rates Up Substantially
in All Regions Over Year From
August 2008 to August 2009, jobless rates were up significantly in all 17
regions. Rate increases ranged from 3.0
to 7.9 percentage points with a median advance of 4.6 percentage points. The largest over-the-year rate hikes were
recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia and Muskegon-Norton Shores MSAs. These were the only two major regions to post
over-the-year jobless rate increases greater than the seasonally unadjusted
statewide advance of 6.1 percentage points. The smallest over-the-year rate hikes were registered in the Ann Arbor
MSA (+3.0 percentage points) along with the
Upper Peninsula (+4.1 percentage points).
Total Employment Down Over Month, Year Over the month, total employment declined
in 11 of the state's major regions. August employment drops ranged from 0.1 to 2.3 percent; however the
average decrease was a moderate half percent. The most pronounced reductions occurred in the
Flint and Lansing-East Lansing MSAs along
with the Northwest Lower Michigan Region. Four areas displayed minor employment gains in August, while employment
was essentially unchanged in both the
Bay
City and Holland-Grand Haven MSAs.
Since August 2008, total
employment fell considerably in all 17 regions with an average drop of nearly
8.0 percent. The smallest over-the-year
declines took place in the state's three northernmost labor market
regions. From August 2008 to August 2009,
employment was down in the
Upper Peninsula by
5.2 percent, while employment decreased in the Northwest Lower Michigan Region
and the Northeast Lower Michigan Region by 5.9 and 6.2 percent respectively.
Labor Force Levels Down Over Month, Year In August, all 17 regions reported
seasonal work force reductions, with a median decline of 1.2 percent.
From August 2008 to August 2009,
labor force levels also fell in all of the state's major labor market
areas. The average over-the-year drop
was nearly 2.5 percent. The largest work
force declines were recorded in the
Flint
and Saginaw-Saginaw Township North MSAs, while the most moderate reductions
occurred in the state's three northernmost labor markets along with the
Detroit-Warren-Livonia
MSA.
Payroll Job Changes Mixed The monthly survey of employers
indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in
Michigan decreased by 21,000 in August to
3,797,000. Manufacturing (-10,000) led
the over-the-month job reductions and trade, transportation, and utilities
(-5,000) recorded the only other significant decline. Somewhat offsetting these reductions was an overall
job gain in professional and business services (+5,000). Most of the other major industry sectors in
the state posted minor losses in August.
Job changes were mixed over the
month in the state's metropolitan areas, with seven areas showing minor gains,
five regions recording declines and the
Jackson
and Bay City MSAs reporting little net movement.
Typically
in August, the manufacturing sector displays gains due to recalls in the auto industry
from the scheduled July plant shutdowns for retooling. This year, due to major restructuring in the
auto industry, many workers normally impacted by job cuts in July were already
laid off earlier in the year. This
resulted in fewer recalls in August with the end of the model retooling
process. In August, layoffs were
extended for a number of auto workers, along with some additional job cuts in
the industry. Over-the-month job loss in
manufacturing was most prevalent in the Lansing-East Lansing and Flint MSAs.
The August
gain in professional and business services was primarily bolstered by an
increase in the temporary help sub-sector.
From August 2008 to August 2009,
seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs fell statewide by 340,000 or 8.2 percent. All of the 14 major metropolitan areas in the
state recorded significant payroll job drops since August 2008.
County
Jobless Rates Down
Seasonally Over Month, Up Over Year Eighty of
Michigan's 83 counties recorded unemployment
rate reductions over the month, with a median decrease of nearly a full
percentage point. Rates were up in two
counties, while one county reported no change. In August, 26 of the state's counties registered jobless rates over 15.0
percent. The highest county rates were
not confined to any particular section of the state.
From August 2008 to August 2009, unemployment
rates were up in all 83 counties, with a substantial median increase of around 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 August workforce estimates for
Michigan and its 17
major labor market areas follows, along with a listing of county jobless rates
for August.
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.
Aug-08
Jul-09
Aug-09
% change
% change
ANN ARBOR MSA
month
year
(Washtenaw
County)
Civilian Labor Force
184,600
178,600
175,200
-1.9%
-5.1%
Total Employment
172,700
160,200
158,500
-1.1%
-8.2%
Unemployment
12,000
18,400
16,600
-9.8%
38.3%
Rate (percent)
6.5
10.3
9.5
Contact:
Mark Reffitt, DELEG Regional Economic Analyst (517) 492-5550
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