December jobless rates increase

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in December, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.  Total employment levels decreased in most regions over the month, while labor force levels increased in the majority of areas.

“December labor market activity throughout the state was fairly normal as unemployment rates typically increase going into the winter months,” said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.  “Michigan’s local labor market situation improved in 2012, as annual jobless rates fell for the second consecutive year in every major labor market area in the state.”

Increases ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 percentage points with a median hike of 1.3 percentage points.  Seven Michigan regions recorded 2012 annual rates below the national annual rate of 8.1 percent.

Over the month, total employment declined in 15 regions, showing a moderate median decrease of 0.8 percent.

Since December 2011, total employment rose in 11 regions with gains averaging around 1.5 percent.

December payroll jobs declined in all 14 Michigan metropolitan areas.  Seasonal job reductions ranged from 0.1 to 1.6 percent throughout the various metro regions, with an average drop of 0.9 percent.  Nearly all areas recorded job cuts in construction, professional and business services and government.

Retail trade jobs throughout the state were little changed from November to December.  However over the holiday hiring season from September to December, retail trade jobs rose by 15,000.  This increase was about the same as 2011, but was slightly above the average of the prior five years.

All of Michigan’s 83 counties recorded jobless rate increases in December, with a significant median advance of 1.7 percentage points.  These hikes were seasonal with the largest increases located in the state’s northern areas.  In December, 18 Michigan counties displayed jobless rates at or below the national non-seasonally adjusted rate of 7.6 percent.

From December 2011 to December 2012, unemployment rates decreased in 71 Michigan counties, with a half percentage point median decline.  Eleven counties registered mostly minor rate increases over this period, while one county’s rate was unchanged.