Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates declined in all 17 of Michigan’s major labor market areas during July 2020, according to data released from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). Michigan regions had particularly sharp July changes in unemployment levels, which were difficult to evaluate. The impact of the pandemic on employment trends can be better seen by a comparison of data for May through July 2020 with pre-pandemic values in February 2020. Ann Arbor, Midland, Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Lansing-East Lansing, and Kalamazoo-Portage continue to round out the top five performing MSAs.
“Michigan regional jobless rates were down in July, although total employment levels showed only modest change in many regions in July,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Industry jobs also edged up over the month as the number of unemployed workers in tourism-related businesses continued to moderate.”
Where the Jobs Are
Manufacturing continues to drive Michigan’s recovery. The state’s net change of +4.900 jobs last month put it ahead of all others with a 1.1 percent increase of jobs created in that sector ahead of California, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Get the full breakdown in Localintel’s July 2020 update on “Manufacturing Employment Trends in Michigan Metro Areas.”
As for what’s on “Michigan’s Hot 50” job outlook through 2028, the state’s DTMB has put out its report on well, what jobs will be “hot” and what will not. From job openings to hourly wage ranges, the report gives the details on high-demand, high-wage careers. Find out if your chosen career path made the list.
The Local Story: Kalamazoo County Reigns With Lowest Jobless Rate
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment for the seven-county southwest Michigan region sits at 9.4 percent, compared to 12.9 percent as of June. Jobless rates range from 8.7 percent in Kalamazoo County to 10.9 percent in Calhoun County, yet Calhoun holds the title for the most pronounced jobless rate reduction of 4.3 percentage points this period. Visit the DTMB’s site to see rankings by county, county labor force numbers, and an overall snapshot of Michigan’s employment.
| 2020 | ||||||
| JULY | JUNE | MAY | ||||
| COUNTY | Labor Force | Employment | Unemployment | Jobless Rate | Jobless Rate | Jobless Rate |
| Berrien | 76,450 | 68,876 | 7,574 | 9.9% | 13.7% | 18.6% |
| Branch | 19,894 | 18,143 | 1,751 | 8.8% | 12.2% | 19.2% |
| Calhoun | 62,044 | 55,297 | 6,747 | 10.9% | 15.2% | 22.0% |
| Cass | 24,646 | 22,180 | 2,466 | 10.0% | 13.0% | 16.8% |
| Kalamazoo | 138,432 | 123,603 | 11,829 | 8.7% | 11.6% | 15.3% |
| St. Joseph | 29,470 | 26,726 | 2,744 | 9.3% | 13.0% | 19.5% |
| Van Buren | 35,859 | 32,713 | 3,146 | 8.8% | 12.4% | 16.8% |
| Southwest Michigan | 386,795 | 347,538 | 36,257 | 9.4% | 12.9% | 17.8% |
| AREAS | ||||||
| Michigan | 4,872,000 | 4,409,000 | 463,000 | 9.5% | 14.9% | 23.8% |
| USA | 161,374,000 | 144,492,000 | 16,882,000 | 10.5% | 11.2% | 13.0% |
| Source: Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), July 2020. Notes: All estimates are preliminary. Data is not seasonally adjusted. | ||||||
