IRON MOUNTAIN — The Upper Peninsula jobless rate fell to 12% in June, with Menominee and Dickinson counties showing the lowest rates in the state, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology Management and Budget.

Dickinson County’s unemployment rate of 9.5% was down from 12.3% in May and ranked as the second-lowest in the state. Menominee County had the lowest rate at 9%, while Iron County was fourth-lowest at 9.9%.

“Regional jobless rates dropped significantly in June but remained high,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Industry jobs also recorded substantial monthly gains, especially in the manufacturing and leisure and hospitality sectors.”

The U.P. jobless rate of 12% compared with 16.4% in May and 5.3% in June 2019. Across the state, jobless rates remained elevated over the year, with a median increase of 9.2 percentage points.

The Michigan unemployment rate in June was 14.9%, down from 20.8% in May.

The monthly survey of employers indicated that seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in Michigan rebounded for the second consecutive month, up by 315,000, or 8.7%, Palmer said.

On a numerical basis, the largest industry job gain occurred in the state’s manufacturing sector, up by 86,000, as auto and auto supply firms recalled employees from pandemic-related layoffs. The second-largest industry job advance was observed in leisure and hospitality, growing by 64,000, as restaurants and tourist-related businesses began to reopen.

All 83 Michigan counties had jobless rate reductions in June. Mackinac County led the way, dropping 15.3 percentage points to reach 15% as tourism-related businesses opened somewhat late for the summer.

The Upper Peninsula’s civilian labor force last month numbered 145,700, including 17,500 unemployed, up by 10,100 compared with May 2019.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.