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Local, UP jobless rates decline in August

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Upper Peninsula’s jobless rate dropped to 4.4% in August, down from 5.1% in July, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology Management and Budget.

The statewide unemployment rate was 4.4%, down from 5% in July.

“Most of Michigan’s regional labor markets displayed typical seasonal trends in August,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Unemployment rates fell in most areas.”

The Lansing and Flint metro areas were the only two regions with jobless rate increases in August, largely due to auto-related layoffs tied to a continuing semiconductor chip shortage.

Jobless rates fell in all 17 Michigan labor markets over the year, with a median decrease of 1.7 percentage points, Rourke added. The U.P.’s unemployment rate a year ago was 5.8% while the state rate was 8.3%.

Dickinson County’s unemployment rate of 4.1% in August was down from 4.6% in July and 5.2% in August 2020. The county showed a civilian labor force of 11,968 in August, including 491 unemployed. A year ago, the labor force numbered 12,421.

The August jobless rate in Iron County was 4.4%, down from 5.1% in July and 5.6% a year ago. The labor force totaled 5,022, with 220 looking for work. Iron County’s August 2020 labor force totaled 5,117.

Over the year, all 17 Michigan regions exhibited labor force cuts, Rourke said. The U.P.’s labor force fell by 900 workers, a decline of 0.7% since August 2020.

Mackinac County had the lowest jobless rate in the U.P. at 2.7%, followed by Menominee County, 3.7%, and Dickinson and Houghton counties, both at 4.1%.

The highest unemployment was in Ontonagon County, at 6.3%, followed by Baraga County, 6.1%.

August 2021 unemployment:

COUNTY ……………………… RATE

Mackinac ………………… 2.7%

Menominee ……………… 3.7%

Dickinson ……………… 4.1%

Houghton ………………… 4.1%

Marquette ……………… 4.2%

Gogebic …………………… 4.4%

Iron …………………………… 4.4%

Delta ………………………… 4.5%

Luce …………………………… 4.7%

Chippewa ………………… 4.8%

Keweenaw ………………… 5.4%

Schoolcraft ………… 5.5%

Alger ………………………… 5.8%

Baraga ……………………… 6.1%

Ontonagon ……………… 6.3%

U.P. …………………………… 4.4%

Michigan ………………… 4.4%

U.S ……………………………… 5.2%

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