IRON MOUNTAIN — Reflecting a statewide trend, the Upper Peninsula’s jobless rate dropped to 4.8% in August, down from 5.2% in July and 5.1% a year ago, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

“Michigan regions demonstrated typical seasonal jobless rate reductions in August,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Employment levels continued to display positive growth trends over the year.”

Increases in statewide industries, such as manufacturing and government, were partially offset by declines in sectors like professional and business services and leisure and hospitality, Rourke said.

Unemployment rates receded in all 17 Michigan labor market areas from a year ago, with a median reduction of 1.1 percentage points.

Michigan’s unemployment rate of 4% in August compared with 4.3% in July and 6.1% in August 2021.

The U.S. jobless rate in August was 3.7%, up from 3.5% in July but down from 5.2% a year ago.

There was a minor labor force increase in the U.P. in August, as the civilian labor force grew by an estimated 100 workers, climbing to 135,300. The increase from August 2021 was 3,100 workers, a jump of 2.3%.

Across the region, 6,500 workers were unemployed in August, down from 7,100 in July and 6,700 a year ago.

Dickinson County’s not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4% in August was down from 4.2% in July and 4.5% in August 2021. The county’s labor force was nearly the same as a year ago, at 12,348. The figure includes 489 unemployed, down from 558 in August 2021.

The August jobless rate in Iron County was 4.9%, down from 5.4% in July and 5.1% a year ago. The county’s reported civilian labor force in August was 5,033, up from 4,873 a year ago. There were 248 unemployed in August, compared with 250 a year ago.

The lowest jobless rate in the U.P. was 2.8% in Mackinac County, followed by Dickinson and Menominee counties at 4%. The region’s highest jobless rate was 7% in Ontonagon County, nearly matched by 6.9% in Baraga County.

August 2022 unemployment

COUNTY …………………… RATE

Mackinac ……………… 2.8%

Dickinson …………… 4.0%

Menominee …………… 4.0%

Houghton ……………… 4.5%

Marquette …………… 4.6%

Gogebic ………………… 4.9%

Iron ………………………… 4.9%

Delta ……………………… 5.0%

Keweenaw ……………… 5.3%

Chippewa ……………… 5.5%

Luce ………………………… 5.6%

Alger ……………………… 6.2%

Schoolcraft ……… 6.6%

Baraga …………………… 6.9%

Ontonagon …………… 7.0%

U.P. ………………………… 4.8%

Michigan ……………… 4.0%

U.S. ………………………… 3.7%