LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Branch County’s unemployment rate went back up in May after dropping for two straight months.
According to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Branch County’s unemployment rate in May was three-point-eight percent which was up from the April figure of three-point-four percent.
Branch County had the 15th lowest unemployment rate among Michigan’s 83 counties.
The report stated not seasonally adjusted jobless rates advanced in nine of Michigan’s 17 labor market areas over the month while they went down in six regions.
Labor Market Information Director Wayne Rourke said, “Labor force levels advanced throughout most Michigan regions in May. Regional unemployment rate trends were mixed over the month.”
The report stated that 15 Michigan labor market areas exhibited employment gains during May.
Unemployment rates went up in neighboring counties. St. Joseph County had a jobless rate of four-point-one percent while it was at four-point-four percent in Calhoun County and four-point-two percent in Hillsdale County.
Michigan’s May unemployment rate held steady at 3.9 percent.
Unemployment rates in May ranged from three-point-one percent in Ottawa County to seven-point-two percent in Alger County.
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