LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The unemployment rate in Branch County went up three-tenths of a percent in December according to data released on Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
Unemployment rates went up in all 83 Michigan counties as the effects of the November pause to stop the spread of COVID-19 were felt.
While Branch County’s unemployment rate went up to four-point-six percent, it was tied for the 16th lowest unemployment rate among Michigan counties.
As for jobless rates in neighboring counties. Hillsdale and St. Joseph Counties were both at four-point-seven percent while Calhoun County was at five-point-eight percent.
The state reported on Thursday that jobless rates which are not seasonally adjusted increased in all 17 major Michigan labor market areas over the month.
Wayne Rourke, who is the associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, says “regional labor markets experienced pandemic-related and seasonal job cuts in December. Preliminary 2020 annual average jobless rates rose significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Regional jobless rates in the state ranged from 3.6 to 10.1 percent in December. The Northeast Lower Michigan region exhibited the largest unemployment rate gain between November and December.
Total employment fell in all 17 Michigan regions between November and December.
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