COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly in October according to figures released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, but the county’s labor force shrank by nearly 200 workers.
The Branch County jobless rate was 4.4 percent in October compared to 4.6 percent in September.
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates during the month went down in 16 of the state’s 17 major labor market areas.
The Bureau also reported that total employment and labor force levels declined seasonally in most regions during the month.
Bureau Director Jason Palmer says October changes around the state were typically small and seasonal.
Figures showed that of the 18,868 members of the Branch County labor force in October, a total of 18,043 were employed. But there were 197 less members of the labor force compared to September with 142 less people working in October.
Branch County’s October unemployment was just above Michigan’s non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 4.2 percent. The national unemployment rate was 3.9 percent.
As for nearby counties, St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate in October was 4.2 percent, Hillsdale County was at 4.5 percent and Calhoun County was at 4.6 percent.
