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Dickinson’s jobless rate is the lowest in Michigan

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County’s unemployment rate of 12.3% in May was the lowest in the state, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology Management & Budget.

Regionally, May jobless rates ranged from 13.7% in the Ann Arbor metro area to 24.8% in the Muskegon region. The Upper Peninsula rate was 16.3%, which compared to a statewide rate of 20.7%.

“Regional jobless rates declined in May, but remained at historically high levels,” said Jason Palmer, department director. “A rebound in jobs occurred in several industries, led by a job gain in construction.”

The April unemployment rate in Dickinson County was 16.6%, which ranked as the fourth-lowest in the state.

Menominee County had the state’s second-lowest jobless rate in May at 12.7%, while Iron County was third-lowest at 13.2%. Mackinac County had the state’s highest jobless rate at 30.3%.

The Upper Peninsula unemployment rate in May 2019 was 4.9%. The region’s civilian labor force last month numbered 140,100, including 22,900 unemployed, up by 16,200 compared to May 2019.

After massive pandemic-related layoffs in April, Michigan’s seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in May advanced by 215,000, or 6.3%, Palmer said.

The largest gains occurred in construction and trade, transportation and utilities. The only major industry with a large employment decline over the month was government.

Despite a modest rebound in May, Michigan’s nonfarm job levels remain far below May 2019 levels. Jobs over the past year fell by 857,000, or 19.2%, Palmer said.

Regional and county employment estimates are produced on a monthly basis using information from the week of the 12th of each month.

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