Michigan Jobless Rate Ticked Up in December; Local Numbers Good

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget say the state's seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate ticked up in December, in numbers announced Friday.

“Typical trends were seen in Michigan’s local labor markets in December,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “While many areas saw jobless rates up seasonally over the month, most areas reported small rate reductions over the year.” - DTMB release

The reports said Michigan's total employment numbers were down for the month, and for the year,

From November to December, total employment fell in 16 of Michigan’s 17 regions. Reductions ranged from 0.2 to 1.8 percent, with a median decline of 0.8 percent. The largest over-the-month employment cuts occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region (-1.8 percent) and the Lansing metro area (-1.4 percent). Detroit was the only metro area to exhibit a slight employment gain over the month, edging up by 0.2 percent.

For the Kalamazoo- Portage area, the unemployment rate year to year is down 16%, while total employment is up 1.6% year to year.