IRON MOUNTAIN — The Upper Peninsula’s jobless rate dipped to 5.2% in July, down from 5.5% in June and 6% a year ago, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology and Budget.

“Michigan’s labor market was stable in July,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Modest jobless rate reductions occurred throughout multiple regions over the month.”

Michigan’s not seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 4.3% in July compared with 4.8% in June and 6.8% in July 2021. Job cuts last month were mainly in the government and professional services sectors, along with some seasonal auto layoffs, Rourke said.

The U.P.’s civilian labor force totaled 135,200 in July, which was a 0.1% increase from June and a 1.9% increase from a year ago. Mackinac County had the lowest jobless rate in the region at 2.9%, followed by Dickinson and Menominee counties at 4.2%.

Dickinson County’s June jobless rate was 4.4%, while a year ago it was 5.2%. The county’s labor force totaled 12,376 in July, including 515 unemployed. A year ago, the labor force had numbered 12,406, with 650 out of work.

Iron County’s unemployment rate of 5.4% in July compared with 5.5% in June and 5.9% in July 2021. The labor force in Iron County stood at 5,033 in July, with 272 unemployed. A year ago, the labor force had totaled 4,912, including 292 looking for work.

All 17 Michigan labor market regions displayed employment advances over the year, Rourke said. Sixty of the state’s 83 counties saw jobless rates fall between June and July, he added.

The highest jobless rate in the U.P. in July was 7.4% in Baraga County, followed by 7.2% in both Schoolcraft and Ontonagon counties.

The U.S. unemployment rate in July was 3.5%. That was down from 3.6% in June and 5.4% in July 2021.

July 2022 unemployment

COUNTY ………………… RATE

Mackinac ………………2.9%

Dickinson ……………..4.2%

Menominee ……………4.2%

Houghton ……………..5.1%

Marquette …………… 5.1%

Gogebic ………………..5.2%

Iron ……………………..5.4%

Delta ……………………5.6%

Luce …………………….5.8%

Chippewa ………………6.1%

Keweenaw ……………..6.2%

Alger ……………………6.7%

Ontonagon …………….7.2%

Schoolcraft …………….7.2%

Baraga ………………….7.4%

U.P. ……………………..5.2%

Michigan ……………….4.3%

U.S. ……………………..3.5%