Skip Navigation
LARA: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsMichigan.gov: Official Web Site for the State of Michigan
Michigan.gov Home LARA Home |  Sitemap |  Contact LARA |  Press Releases |  Online Services
close print view

Michigan's Regional Jobless Rate Shows Improvement Over Last Year
10 of 12 Regions Report Gains Over 2003

Contact: Maura Campbell (517) 373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs


December 22, 2004 - Since November 2003, jobless rates were down in 10 of Michigan's 12 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Economic Growth.  Many declines were significant, with an average decline of 0.8 of a percentage point.  Three areas, the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the Jackson MSA and the Northeast Lower Michigan Region, displayed unemployment rate drops of a full percentage point or more. 

Over the year, the jobless rate in the Ann Arbor MSA was unchanged, while the rate in the Lansing MSA rose by 1.7 percentage points.  The increase in the Lansing region was mainly the result of short-term layoffs in auto-related manufacturing that occurred in the fall of 2004.

"The jobless rate increases were minor in nine of the 12 areas," said Bruce Weaver, acting director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.  "However, due to typical seasonal declines in tourism-related employment, the three northern labor market areas recorded significant hikes in their respective unemployment rates."

Total Employment Up Over Year, Down Over Month
From November 2003 to November 2004, total employment increases were registered in nine major areas with solid gains reported in several regions.  Total employment was down over the year in the Lansing, Saginaw-Bay-Midland, and Jackson MSAs.

Over the month, seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in all 12 of the state's major labor market areas.  Labor force levels were mixed over the month while employment declined in all areas. Decreases were marginal in Michigan's southern regions, averaging about 0.4 percent.  Employment declines were substantial, but typical in the state's three northernmost labor market areas with the end of the summer tourism season.  The Northwest Lower Michigan Region, the Upper Peninsula, and the Northeast Lower Michigan Region, jobless rate hikes ranged from 1.5 to 2.4 percentage points and recorded a combined employment drop of over 10,000 in November.

Labor Force Levels Mixed Over Month, Up Over Year
In November, labor force levels decreased slightly in seven areas, increased slightly in four areas, and were essentially unchanged in the Ann Arbor MSA.

Over the year, labor force levels increased in eight areas and declined in four.

Payroll Employment Declines
The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan fell in November by 14,000 to total 4,420,000.  Job losses occurred in leisure and hospitality services (-14,000), professional and business services (-9,000), manufacturing (-6,000) and construction (-3,000).  The decreases in leisure and hospitality services, construction and a portion of professional and business services were seasonal and expected.

Somewhat offsetting the payroll employment decreases were seasonal gains in retail trade (+10,000) and government (+6,000).  The increase in retail trade was evident in all of the state's major metropolitan areas as merchants hired additional workers for the holiday season.

Over the year, six of the state's nine major metropolitan areas registered payroll employment declines.  The Detroit, Lansing, and Saginaw-Bay-Midland MSAs reported the largest drops.  Three areas, the Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Benton Harbor MSAs, displayed modest job growth since November 2003. 

Although retail trade employment was up seasonally in November, it was down substantially over the year.  Almost all metropolitan areas in the state recorded declines in this sector since November 2003. 

Statewide, jobs in professional and business services have increased over the year.  Three areas in particular, the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids MSAs, have displayed strong growth in this sector.

County Jobless Rates Up Over Month, Down Over Year
Eighty-two of Michigan's 83 counties recorded unemployment rate increases in November.  Many of the county rate advances were seasonal.  The average increase over the month was almost a full percentage point.  Twenty of the 25 most substantial jobless rate increases took place in counties that reside in the state's three northernmost labor market areas.

Over the year, unemployment rates declined in 69 counties, falling by an average of a full percentage point.  The rate in 13 counties increased since November 2003, while the jobless rate in one county was unchanged.

A breakdown of seasonally unadjusted November workforce estimates for Michigan and its 12 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 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. 

 

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

ANN ARBOR MSA

      

 month

 year

 (Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

321,800

327,100

327,100

0.0%

1.6%

Total Employment

309,500

315,800

314,700

-0.3%

1.7%

Unemployment

12,300

11,400

12,400

8.8%

0.8%

Rate (percent)

3.8

3.5

3.8

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

BENTON HARBOR MSA

      

 month

 year

(Berrien County)

          

Civilian Labor Force

82,400

83,200

82,900

-0.4%

0.6%

Total Employment

76,400

78,200

77,500

-0.9%

1.4%

Unemployment

6,000

5,000

5,400

8.0%

-10.0%

Rate (percent)

7.3

6.1

6.5

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

DETROIT MSA   (Data in thousands)

      

month

 year

(Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe,

          

 Lapeer, St. Clair counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

2,242

2,246

2,249

0.1%

0.3%

Total Employment

2,086

2,104

2,099

-0.2%

0.6%

Unemployment

156

142

150

5.6%

-3.8%

Rate (percent)

7.0

6.3

6.6

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

FLINT MSA

      

 month

 year

(Genesee County)

          

Civilian Labor Force

188,000

187,400

187,500

0.1%

-0.3%

Total Employment

171,000

172,600

171,900

-0.4%

0.5%

Unemployment

17,000

14,800

15,600

5.4%

-8.2%

Rate (percent)

9.1

7.9

8.3

    
           

Contact: Jason Palmer, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508
           
 

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

GRAND RAPIDS - MUSKEGON - HOLLAND MSA

      

month

 year

(Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon

          

and Allegan counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

612,600

617,900

617,400

-0.1%

0.8%

Total Employment

567,900

582,200

579,800

-0.4%

2.1%

Unemployment

44,700

35,700

37,500

5.0%

-16.1%

Rate (percent)

7.3

5.8

6.1

    
           

Contact: Brian Waters, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (616) 336-4883
           
 

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

JACKSON MSA

      

 month

 year

(Jackson County)

          

Civilian Labor Force

80,500

79,100

78,700

-0.5%

-2.2%

Total Employment

74,600

74,400

73,700

-0.9%

-1.2%

Unemployment

5,900

4,700

5,000

6.4%

-15.3%

Rate (percent)

7.4

6.0

6.4

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

KALAMAZOO - BATTLE CREEK MSA

      

 month

 year

(Kalamazoo, Calhoun and

          

Van Buren counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

237,200

237,600

238,300

0.3%

0.5%

Total Employment

222,700

224,700

224,500

-0.1%

0.8%

Unemployment

14,600

12,900

13,700

6.2%

-6.2%

Rate (percent)

6.1

5.4

5.8

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

LANSING MSA

      

 month

 year

(Clinton, Eaton, and

          

Ingham counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

255,100

253,200

253,000

-0.1%

-0.8%

Total Employment

243,500

238,300

237,300

-0.4%

-2.5%

Unemployment

11,600

14,900

15,600

4.7%

34.5%

Rate (percent)

4.5

5.9

6.2

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

SAGINAW - BAY - MIDLAND MSA

      

 month

 year

 (Saginaw, Bay, Midland counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

198,600

194,300

194,400

0.1%

-2.1%

Total Employment

182,600

181,000

180,400

-0.3%

-1.2%

Unemployment

15,900

13,300

14,000

5.3%

-11.9%

Rate (percent)

8.0

6.9

7.2

    
           

Contact: Jason Palmer, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (989) 776-1508
           
 

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

UPPER PENINSULA LMA

      

 month

year

(15 counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

154,800

157,900

156,600

-0.8%

1.2%

Total Employment

143,300

150,200

146,300

-2.6%

2.1%

Unemployment

11,500

7,700

10,300

33.8%

-10.4%

Rate (percent)

7.4

4.9

6.6

    
           

Contact: Kathy Salow, DLEG Regional Economic Analyst (906) 226-3669
           
 

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

NORTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN

      

 month

 year

(Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford,

          

Iosco, Montmorency,Ogemaw, Oscoda,

          

Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

93,950

95,000

94,200

-0.8%

0.3%

Total Employment

84,525

88,975

85,925

-3.4%

1.7%

Unemployment

9,450

6,050

8,275

36.8%

-12.4%

Rate (percent)

10.1

6.4

8.8

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN

      

 month

 year

(Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie,

          

Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau,

          

Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties)

          

Civilian Labor Force

151,875

154,900

154,025

-0.6%

1.4%

Total Employment

139,850

146,200

143,075

-2.1%

2.3%

Unemployment

12,025

8,700

10,950

25.9%

-8.9%

Rate (percent)

7.9

5.6

7.1

    
           

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

Nov-03

Oct-04

Nov-04

% change

% change

MICHIGAN  (Data in thousands)

      

 month

 year

Civilian Labor Force

5,084

5,097

5,096

-0.0%

0.2%

Total Employment

4,731

4,791

4,765

-0.5%

0.7%

Unemployment

352

307

331

7.8%

-6.0%

Rate (percent)

6.9

6.0

6.5

    
           

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

 

MICHIGAN COUNTIES RANKED BY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE - NOVEMBER 2004
             

1

WASHTENAW COUNTY

3.2

  

43

NEWAYGO COUNTY

7.3

2

LIVINGSTON COUNTY

3.6

  

44

HILLSDALE COUNTY

7.3

3

ISABELLA COUNTY

3.8

  

45

WEXFORD COUNTY

7.3

4

CASS COUNTY

3.9

  

46

ONTONAGON COUNTY

7.5

5

LEELANAU COUNTY

4.3

  

47

VAN BUREN COUNTY

7.5

6

BARRY COUNTY

4.3

  

48

CHIPPEWA COUNTY

7.5

7

HOUGHTON COUNTY

4.5

  

49

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

7.6

8

OAKLAND COUNTY

4.7

  

50

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY

7.6

9

KALAMAZOO COUNTY

4.8

  

51

TUSCOLA COUNTY

7.7

10

OTTAWA COUNTY

5.0

  

52

CRAWFORD COUNTY

7.8

11

MARQUETTE COUNTY

5.1

  

53

MANISTEE COUNTY

7.9

12

MONROE COUNTY

5.5

  

54

SAGINAW COUNTY

7.9

13

DICKINSON COUNTY

5.5

  

55

IONIA COUNTY

8.1

14

MENOMINEE COUNTY

5.6

  

56

OSCEOLA COUNTY

8.1

15

MIDLAND COUNTY

5.6

  

57

MUSKEGON COUNTY

8.1

16

ST JOSEPH COUNTY

5.7

  

58

BENZIE COUNTY

8.2

17

EATON COUNTY

5.7

  

59

IOSCO COUNTY

8.2

18

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY

5.8

  

60

GENESEE COUNTY

8.3

19

MISSAUKEE COUNTY

5.8

  

61

WAYNE COUNTY

8.3

20

ALLEGAN COUNTY

6.1

  

62

OCEANA COUNTY

8.3

21

BRANCH COUNTY

6.1

  

63

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY

8.5

22

MACOMB COUNTY

6.1

  

64

MONTCALM COUNTY

8.5

23

KENT COUNTY

6.1

  

65

SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY

8.5

24

CLINTON COUNTY

6.2

  

66

ROSCOMMON COUNTY

8.7

25

IRON COUNTY

6.2

  

67

SANILAC COUNTY

8.7

26

ALGER COUNTY

6.3

  

68

GRATIOT COUNTY

8.7

27

GOGEBIC COUNTY

6.3

  

69

ANTRIM COUNTY

9.2

28

MECOSTA COUNTY

6.4

  

70

MASON COUNTY

9.3

29

JACKSON COUNTY

6.4

  

71

EMMET COUNTY

9.9

30

INGHAM COUNTY

6.4

  

72

PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY

10.1

31

LUCE COUNTY

6.5

  

73

GLADWIN COUNTY

10.3

32

BERRIEN COUNTY

6.5

  

74

ALCONA COUNTY

10.4

33

LENAWEE COUNTY

6.5

  

75

ARENAC COUNTY

10.5

34

CALHOUN COUNTY

6.7

  

76

LAKE COUNTY

11.2

35

ALPENA COUNTY

6.9

  

77

CHEBOYGAN COUNTY

11.2

36

OGEMAW COUNTY

6.9

  

78

CLARE COUNTY

11.2

37

HURON COUNTY

6.9

  

79

BARAGA COUNTY

12.2

38

DELTA COUNTY

6.9

  

80

OSCODA COUNTY

13.2

39

LAPEER COUNTY

7.2

  

81

MONTMORENCY COUNTY

13.9

40

KALKASKA COUNTY

7.2

  

82

MACKINAC COUNTY

14.6

41

BAY COUNTY

7.2

  

83

KEWEENAW COUNTY

17.7

42

OTSEGO COUNTY

7.3

        


Related Documents
> Read more press releases from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth - 287 bytes
Related Content
 •  MPSC: St. Clair County Becomes Latest to Earn "Connected" Broadband Status, Michigan Continues to Lead Nation
 •  Florida Physician Loses Michigan Medical License; LARA Issues Mandatory Summary Suspension
 •  Monroe Physician Summarily Suspended
 •  62 People Convicted of Unemployment Compensation Fraud; Restitution Amounts Total More Than $960,000 Payable to the State of Michigan
 •  Disaster Safety and Mitigation Tips Featured During Building Safety Month; Protecting Your Home from Floods and Tornadoes
 •  Michigan Liquor Control Commission to hold Public Hearing in the Southfield Office of the Commission
 •  MPSC Approves Settlement Agreement Authorizing Consumers Energy Company to Increase Electric Rates
 •  MPSC Issues New Consumers Tip Sheet for First-Time Renters and Homeowners
 •  MPSC Approves Advanced Metering Infrastructure Non-Transmitting Meter Provision for Residential Customers of DTE Electric Company
 •  MPSC Grants License to Santanna Energy Services as Alternative Electric Supplier
 •  MPSC Approves Settlement Agreement Setting 9-1-1 Surcharge Rates for 12 Michigan Counties
 •  May is Building Safety Month; Week One: Fire Safety and Awareness
 •  MIOSHA Cancels Marathon Petroleum Company State Award Presentation
 •  Bluewater Thermal Solutions Receives State Award for Outstanding Safety and Health Record
 •  Keeping Safety at the Forefront "Coffee with MIOSHA"
 •  Governor Snyder Proclaims Arson Awareness Week May 5-11, 2013; State Fire Marshal and Michigan Arson Prevention Committee Join Forces on "Reducing Residential Arson"
 •  MIOSHA Invites Employers and Workers to Share a Cup of Coffee and Learn about the Benefits of Workplace Safety and Health
 •  Governor Snyder Proclaims May 2013 as Building Safety Month; "Code Officials Keep You Safe"
 •  Miron Construction Co., Building Trades, Contractors and MIOSHA Sign Partnership to Protect Workers on Northern Michigan University Jamrich Hall Project
 •  Michigan Liquor Control Commission Reminds Licensees about the Importance of Renewing Liquor Licenses on Time
QR code

Michigan.gov Home |  LARA Home |  State Web Sites |  Office of Regulatory Reinvention |  Spending & Accountability
Accessibility Policy |  Link Policy |  Privacy Policy |  Security Policy | Michigan News | Michigan.gov Survey


Copyright © 2001-2013 State of Michigan