Unemployment down in Michigan, up in the U.P.

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates declined slightly in 14 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in November, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.  Total employment and labor force levels decreased in all regions over the month.

“Unemployment rates declined over the month throughout Michigan mostly due to a reduction in the number of individuals actively seeking employment in November,” said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.  “Retail trade jobs did rise seasonally as merchants hired for the holiday season, however this was offset by job cuts in other seasonal industries.”

From October to November, regional jobless rate declines were mostly minor with a median reduction of only 0.2 of a percentage point.  The largest November drop of 0.8 of a percentage point was recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), while all other declines were limited to 0.3 of a percentage point or less.  The three northernmost Michigan regions posted seasonal rate advances with the Northeast Lower Michigan region registering a hike of one percentage point, while both the Northwest Lower Michigan region and the Upper Peninsula showed unemployment rate increases of 0.7 of a percentage point over the month.

Jobless Rates Down Over Year

From November 2011 to November 2012, unemployment rates fell in 16 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas.  Over-the-year rate reductions ranged from 0.9 to 1.5 percentage points with a sizeable median drop of 1.3 percentage points.  The jobless rate in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA was little changed since November 2011, edging upward by 0.1 of a percentage point.

Total Employment Down Over Month, Up Over Year

Over the month, total employment declined in all of the state’s regions.  Decreases ranged from 0.3 to 3.9 percent with a median employment reduction of 1.0 percent.  The largest declines were seasonal drops of 3.2 percent or more in Michigan’s northernmost areas.

County Jobless Rates Mixed Over Month, Down Over Year

Slightly over half of Michigan’s 83 counties recorded jobless rate increases in November.  These hikes were seasonal and occurred mostly in the state’s northern areas.  Thirty-five counties reported mostly minor unemployment rate declines over the month, while rates were unchanged in five.  In November, 67 Michigan counties displayed jobless rates below 10.0 percent.

From November 2011 to November 2012, unemployment rates decreased in 79 Michigan counties, with a 1.3 percentage point median decline.  Three counties registered minor rate increases over this period, while one county’s rate was unchanged.

Note:  Data in this release is not seasonally adjusted.  As a result, employment and unemployment trends may differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted data.