Michigan Jobless Rate Down In Michigan, But Not Kalamazoo

The latest monthly jobless report figures released by Michigan's Department of Technology, Management and Budget are mostly good, but were down slightly in Kalamazoo. Another note of concern; while the levels rose in 14 regions over the year, led by the Muskegon area (+1.9 percent), the Battle Creek area recorded labor force reductions over the year.

November non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates fell in 11 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas, according to data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). Labor force and employment totals advanced over the month for most Michigan regions. - DTMB

On the positive side, Flint led the way with a 5.2% increase in payroll jobs. DTMB says after Flint, "Saginaw (+2.4 percent), and Lansing-East Lansing (+1.9 percent) regions did well. Nonfarm employment moved down slightly in three regions, including Kalamazoo (-0.2 percent), Niles-Benton Harbor (-0.2 percent) and Grand Rapids (-0.1 percent)."

Overall, DTMB says not much changed in the past year. Most of the employment figures are flat or close to it, year to year. Manufacturing show big gains, but those figures were expected after striking autoworkers returned to the assembly line.

During November, 38 Michigan counties exhibited jobless rate advances, 35 had jobless rate declines, and ten remained unchanged. Over the year, 49 counties recorded jobless rate reductions while 22 saw unemployment rate hikes, and 12 county jobless rates were unchanged. - DTMB