LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The January unemployment rate in Branch County went up to six percent according to data released on Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
It was a mixed bag for unemployment rates in Michigan counties as not seasonally adjusted jobless rates moved up in eight of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas between December and January. Four of the state’s regions showed jobless rate declines over the month while five areas had no January jobless rate change.
While Branch County’s unemployment rate went up from the December rate of four-point-six percent, it was tied for the 17th lowest unemployment rate among Michigan counties.
As for jobless rates in neighboring counties. Hillsdale was up to six-point-three percent, St. Joseph County was at five-point-nine percent while Calhoun County was at seven-point-seven percent.
Wayne Rourke, who is the associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, says “Michigan regional labor market trends in January were primarily driven by workforce reductions. Regional labor force levels fell in all Michigan regions both over the month and over the year.”
January jobless rates among Michigan regions ranged from 4.8 to 10.2 percent. Total employment fell in 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month. Employment reductions ranged from 0.9 to 2.3 percent, with a median decrease of 1.4 percent.
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