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Michigan Regional Unemployment Rates Drop in August

Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget says that not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates declined in 15 of Michigan’s 17 labor markets in August.

“Most of Michigan’s regional labor markets displayed typical seasonal trends in August,” said Wayne Rourke, Associate Director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Unemployment rates fell in the most areas. Two regions with jobless rate increases in August had temporary auto-related layoffs due to the continuing semiconductor chip shortage.”

According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, regional unemployment rate declines ranged from 0.2 to 1.7 percentage points, with a median decrease of 0.8 percentage points.

They say the most pronounced over the month jobless rate reduction occurred in the Monroe metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Additionally, they say Lansing and Flint metro areas were the only two regions with jobless rate increases in August, with a large part being due to auto-related layoffs.

Over the year, jobless rates dropped in all 17 Michigan labor markets by a range of 0.5 to 6.9 percentage points. The median decrease was 1.7 percentage points.

In August, regional jobless rates were above pre-pandemic August 2019 levels. The department says fifteen Michigan labor market areas had unemployment rate increases over the last two years, with the median gain of a full percentage point.

Additionally, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget says regional unemployment levels decreased in 12 labor market areas in August.

They say reductions ranged from 0.1 to 2.5%, with a median decline of 0.4%. The largest August employment drop occurred in the Flint MSA.

Furthermore, the department states that employment advanced in the Detroit metro area. They say small gains were also recorded in the Grand Rapids metro area and in Northeast Lower Michigan. Employment remained unchanged in August in the Midland and Upper Peninsula regions.

Over the year, 10 Michigan regions recorded employment reductions with a median decline of 0.4%. Seven regions saw over the year employment increases with a median advancement of 0.8%.

However, the department says despite mixed trends over the year, regional employment totals remained below August 2019 levels. They say there was a median decrease of 5.0% over the two year period, and the largest reduction occurred in the Flint MSA.

The department says workforce levels fell in all 17 Michigan regions during August, with a median decline of 1.0%. The largest over the month labor force reductions occurred in both the Muskegon and Monroe Metro Areas by about 1.9%.

Over the year, the department says all 17 regions exhibited labor force cuts, and the most pronounced workforce reduction occurred in the Muskegon MSA by about 4.7%.

According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, the monthly survey of employers indicated that not seasonally adjusted Michigan total payroll jobs rose by 16,000 during August, or by 0.4%, to 4,185,000.

They say most Michigan industries in August registered minor employment changes although job gains were led by the manufacturing sector by 7,000.

The department states total nonfarm jobs decreased in nine Michigan metro areas during August, with a median decline of 0.4%. The largest employment reduction occurred in the Flint MSA by 3.0%, which was primarily due to a temporary auto layoff in the region. They also say payroll jobs rose in five regions over the month.

Statewide nonfarm jobs increased by 142,000, or 3.5%, since August 2020. The department says eleven metro regions showed payroll employment gains over the year, with a median addition of 2.5%.

Furthermore, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget states 79 Michigan counties showed jobless rate declines in August, while four counties had jobless rate increases.

They say over the year, 82 counties recorded unemployment rate reductions. Additionally, they say Eaton County’s unemployment rate was unchanged since August 2020.

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