by Scott McClallen
Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 16 of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Regional jobless rates advanced in May as residents began entering the summer job market,” labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics Wayne Rourke said in a statement. “Payroll employment rose in most metro areas over the month.”
Michigan regional unemployment rates ranged from 3.1% to 5.8% in May, with a median jobless rate increase of 0.9 percentage points over the month. The Northeast Lower Michigan region was the only Michigan labor market area to exhibit a decrease in its jobless rate over the month, with a seasonal decline of 0.5 percentage points since April.
Unemployment rates decreased in 10 labor market areas over the year, with a median rate reduction of 0.2 percentage points. Jobless rates advanced in four regions over the year and remained unchanged in the Kalamazoo, Niles-Benton Harbor, and Northeast Lower Michigan regions since May 2022.
Employment increased in 15 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median increase of 1%. The largest over-the-month employment increase occurred in the Northeast Lower Michigan region. Employment edged down slightly over the month in the Ann Arbor metro area (-0.8%) and remained unchanged in the Saginaw metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
Total employment rose in all 17 Michigan regions over the year, with a median increase of 3%. The most significant over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Lansing MSA (+5.3%).
Labor force levels increased in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the month, ranging from 0.5% in the Ann Arbor region to 5.9% in the Northwest Lower Michigan region.
Michigan labor force totals advanced in all 17 regions over the year, with a median increase of 3%. The Ann Arbor MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-year labor force gain of 4.9%.
According to the monthly survey of employers, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 62,000, or 1.4%, over the month. Employment gains were seen in most major Michigan industries, with the notable exception of government (-11,000).
Payroll employment rose in 12 metro areas over the month, with a median increase of 0.9%. The largest over-the-month gain in jobs occurred in the Detroit MSA (+1.5%). Nonfarm jobs edged down over the month in the Ann Arbor and Saginaw metro areas. May job gains were mainly seasonal, with nearly every metro region showing growth in leisure, hospitality, construction, and professional and business services.
Michigan’s total payroll employment increased by 79,000 over the year, or 1.8%. Eleven metro areas demonstrated employment increases over the year, with a median employment gain of 1.6%.
Sixty Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate increases between April and May, with a median rate gain of 0.8 percentage points. Thirty-seven counties exhibited rate reductions over the year, while 34 counties demonstrated rate increases and 12 county rates remained unchanged since May 2022.
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Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi.
