Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives/Southwest Michigan 209 E. Washington Ave, Suite 100 Jackson MI 49201 Figure 1: Estimates of Labor Force, Employment, and Unemployment - Southwest Michigan By Place of Residence/Seasonally Unadjusted., ** CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATES Areas Mar Mar 14 Mar 14 13 Battle Creek MSA 65,300 65,200 64,200 100 1,100 61,400 60,700 59,600 700 1,800 6.0 7.0 7.2 Jackson MSA 70,600 70,700 70,500-100 100 65,500 64,900 64,700 600 800 7.2 8.2 8.3 Kalamazoo MSA 161,900 161,200 159,200 700 2,700 152,200 149,900 148,000 2,300 4,200 6.0 7.0 7.1 Kalamazoo Co. 126,575 125,625 124,300 950 2,275 119,500 117,675 116,225 1,825 3,275 5.6 6.3 6.5 Van Buren Co. 35,350 35,550 34,950-200 400 32,700 32,200 31,800 500 900 7.5 9.4 9.0 Niles-BH MSA 72,200 71,100 70,200 1,100 2,000 67,200 65,200 64,300 2,000 2,900 6.8 8.2 8.5 Allegan Co. 55,425 55,100 53,350 325 2,075 52,000 51,300 49,625 700 2,375 6.1 6.9 7.0 Barry Co. 30,675 30,775 29,550-100 1,125 28,925 28,625 27,575 300 1,350 5.7 7.0 6.7 Branch Co. 19,600 19,550 19,350 50 250 18,325 18,025 17,850 300 475 6.5 7.7 7.7 Cass Co. 25,350 25,500 24,950-150 400 23,850 23,500 23,325 350 525 5.9 7.8 6.5 Hillsdale Co. 19,125 19,100 19,025 25 100 17,675 17,400 17,250 275 425 7.5 9.0 9.3 Lenawee Co. 44,700 44,925 44,475-225 225 41,350 41,325 40,800 25 550 7.5 8.0 8.3 St. Joseph Co. 29,175 28,850 28,200 325 975 27,575 26,975 26,250 600 1,325 5.5 6.5 6.9 Michigan 4,679,000 4,699,000 4,643,000-20,000 36,000 4,339,000 4,322,000 4,258,000 17,000 81,000 7.3 8.0 8.3 U.S.A.* 154,845 155,627 154,739-782 106 145,767 145,090 143,724 677 2,043 5.9 6.8 7.1 * Expressed in thousands; ** All labor force and employment numbers are rounded to the nearest 25 for counties, 100 for MSAs, and 1,000 for the State and the Nation. Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Seasonal Hiring Leads to Lower Jobless Rates for All Southwest Michigan Labor Markets Seasonal employment gains occurred in, following the difficult weather conditions in the first quarter of. Jobs rose in Leisure and hospitality, Construction, Retail trade, and Professional and business services. These job gains led to a significant reduction in unemployment rates for all regional counties. Labor Force Mixed Over the Month but Up Over the Year civilian labor force levels were relatively stable throughout Southwest Michigan. Workforce levels rose in Berrien County (+1,100), Kalamazoo (+950), Allegan (+325), and St. Joseph (+325). Smaller labor force changes were recorded in the remaining regional labor markets. Over the year, workforce levels recorded substantial gains, extending from +225 in Lenawee to +2,275 in Kalamazoo County. Other counties that registered considerable labor force additions included Allegan (+2,075), Berrien (+2,000), Barry (+1,125), and Calhoun (+1,100). Workforce remained flat over the year in Hillsdale and Jackson, inching up by just 100. Figure 2: Percent Employment in Southwest Michigan Counties 0 2 4 6 Over the year Over the month (Van Buren, Jackson, Lenawee, Cass, Branch, and Hillsdale). Nation Michigan St. Joseph Lenawee Hillsdale Cass Branch Barry Allegan Berrien Van Buren Kalamazoo Jackson Calhoun Employment Rose in All Local Markets Over the Month and Over the Year Household employment increased in, mostly due to seasonal job gains in Leisure and hospitality, Construction, Retail trade, and Professional and business services. Employment in Lenawee County edged up by 25, while job additions in other counties ranged from +275 in Hillsdale to +2,000 in Allegan County. Other counties with considerable employment gains in included Kalamazoo (+1,825), Barry (+700), Calhoun (+700), and St. Joseph (+600). Over the year, employment advanced substantially in all regional labor markets: Kalamazoo (+3,275), Berrien (+2,900), Allegan (+2,375), Calhoun (+1,800), Barry (+1,350), and St. Joseph (+1,325). Jobs rose between +425 and +900 in the remaining six counties
Unemployment Rates Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Figure 3: Jobless Rates for Southwest Michigan Counties - 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.9 5.9 6.0 6.1 6.5 6.8 7.2 7.3 7.5 7.5 7.5 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 Rates Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives jobless rates for all regional counties dropped by an average of -1.2 percentage points. Jobless Rates Decreased in All Regional Counties in Over the Month and Year to Year. Unemployment rates in Southwest Michigan dropped over the month in all twelve area labor markets by an average of -1.2 percentage points. Jobless rate reductions ranged from -0.5 percentage points in Lenawee to -1.9 in Cass and Van Buren counties. Three regional counties (St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Barry) had lower jobless rates than the national unadjusted rate of 5.9 percent. Michigan s unadjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 7.3 percent, which was +1.4 percentage points higher than the national rate. Over the year, From 2005 to in, unemployment rates inched up in three regional metro areas: Jackson (+0.9 percentage points), Kalamazoo (+0.8), and Benton Harbor (+0.4). Jobless rates fell slightly in the Battle Creek (-0.3 percentage points) and Grand Rapids (-0.6) metro areas. Local MSAs unemployment rates escalated in 2009 and 2010 by an average of 6.1 percentage points, because of the housing sector crisis and the automotive industry s financial difficulties. Since 2010, unemployment rates in all five regional metro areas have fallen by an average of -5.6 percentage points by. Figure 4: Local Metro Area Unemployment Rates Since 2005 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Areas Benton Harbor 6.4 6.5 6.3 5.8 11.3 12.8 10.0 8.6 8.5 6.8 Battle Creek 6.3 6.6 6.5 5.8 10.8 11.4 8.8 7.1 7.2 6.0 Gd. Rapids 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.3 10.2 10.7 8.1 6.4 6.3 5.1 Jackson 6.3 6.5 7.1 6.4 12.1 13.1 9.7 8.1 8.3 7.2 Kalamazoo 5.2 5.1 5.2 4.9 9.4 10.9 8.6 7.2 7.1 6.0 However, current jobless rates remain slightly above the pre-recessionary 2007 levels in the Kalamazoo (+0.8 percentage points), Benton Harbor (+0.5), and Jackson (+0.1) metro areas. The rates in the Battle Creek and Grand Rapids MSAs were actually slightly below 2007 levels. Figure 5: Comparing the Trend of Local MSAs Unemployment Rates Since 2005 Year 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Benton Harbor Jackson Kalamazoo Battle Creek Gd. Rapids 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Years Page 2
Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Increased Seasonally in in All Regional Metro Areas Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst All four regional metropolitan statistical areas recorded seasonal job additions in Construction and Leisure and hospitality in. Figure 6: Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) Battle Creek MSA Trade, Transportation, 0.9% 1.1% 4.7% 15.4% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0% 16.0% 18.0% Nonfarm payroll jobs in the Battle Creek MSA (Calhoun County) rose by 500 in, to a total of 58,100. Job additions came mainly from seasonal hiring of 200 each in Construction and Leisure and hospitality. Employment in Trade, transportation, and warehousing also inched up by 100. Over the year, employment in Manufacturing rose by 600, and Construction added 200 jobs. Employment in all other sectors remained relatively flat, year to year. Total payroll jobs in Battle Creek were 1,000 above the level. Figure 7: Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) Jackson MSA Educational and Health -1.0% Manufacturing 0.7% 1.1% 4.1% 15.4% -2.0% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0% 16.0% 18.0% Nonfarm payroll jobs in the Jackson MSA (Jackson County) progressed by 400 in to a total of 54,300. Construction and Leisure and hospitality each added 200 positions seasonally. Jobs in Manufacturing inched up by 100. However, private Educational and health services cut 100 jobs. Employment in all other sectors remained unchanged. Current total payroll employment in Jackson was 200 below levels. Manufacturing added 300 positions, and employment in Leisure and hospitality inched up 100. However, jobs in government were 300 below last year s level, while private Educational and health services cut 200 positions over the year. Page 3
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Government Manufacturing Educational and Health Professional and Busin Trade, Transportation, Financial Activities Figure 8: Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) Kalamazoo MSA -1.3% -0.5% -0.4% 0.6% 0.9% 1.1% 1.3% 7.0% 9.1% -2.0% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% Nonfarm payroll jobs in the Kalamazoo-Portage MSA (Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties) improved in by 1,500 to a total of 138,100. Seasonal job gains were registered in Leisure and hospitality (+1,300) and Construction (+300). Employment in Trade, transportation, and warehousing inched up by 200. However, local and state Government cut 300 positions, and employment in private Educational services inched down by100. Over the year, employment improved in Leisure and hospitality (+700), Manufacturing (+400), Construction (+300), and Professional and business services (+300). However, a 200-job cut each was recorded in private Educational services, Health services, and Retail trade. Total payroll jobs in Kalamazoo were 1,300 (or +1.0 percent) above levels. Manufacturing Trade, Transportation, Professional and Busin Figure 9: Sectors with Payroll Job ( - ) Niles-Benton Harbor MSA -0.8% 2.9% 5.0% 9.1% 9.4% 13.3% -2.0% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0% 16.0% Payroll employment in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA (Berrien County) advanced by 1,700 in to a total of 60,600. Seasonal job gains were recorded in Leisure and hospitality (+600), Professional and business services (+500), and Construction (+200). Trade, transportation, and warehousing also added 500 positions in. Manufacturing employment inched down 100. Over the year, employment in Leisure and hospitality rose by 900. Manufacturing, and Professional and business services each added 400 jobs. Additionally, an over the year job addition of 200 was registered in both Retail trade and Government. Total payroll jobs in Benton Harbor were 1,600 above the level. Notes: Data in this release is not seasonally adjusted. As a result, employment and unemployment trends may differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted data. FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact the Regional Analyst, Dr. Leonidas Murembya, in Jackson at 517/841-5634, or the Detroit Office of Labor Market Information at 313/456-3090, or visit our website at http://www.michigan.gov/lmi. Page 4
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Figure 10: Southwest Michigan MSAs Payroll Employment - Battle Creek MSA % % 58,100 57,600 57,100 500 0.9% 1,000 1.8% Mining, Logging, and Construction 1,500 1,300 1,300 200 15.4% 200 15.4% Manufacturing 11,900 11,900 11,300 0 0.0% 600 5.3% Trade, Transportation, 9,100 9,000 9,000 100 1.1% 100 1.1% Financial Activities 1,300 1,300 1,300 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Professional and Business 6,100 6,100 6,000 0 0.0% 100 1.7% Educational and Health 10,500 10,500 10,500 0 0.0% 0 0.0% y 4,500 4,300 4,400 200 4.7% 100 2.3% Other Services 2,200 2,200 2,200 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Government 10,500 10,500 10,600 0 0.0% -100-0.9% Jackson MSA % % 54,300 53,900 54,500 400 0.7% -200-0.4% Mining, Logging, and Construction 1,500 1,300 1,400 200 15.4% 100 7.1% Manufacturing 9,400 9,300 9,100 100 1.1% 300 3.3% Trade, Transportation, Utilities 11,300 11,300 11,300 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Information 300 300 400 0 0.0% -100-25.0% Financial Activities 1,900 1,900 1,900 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Professional and Business 4,100 4,100 4,200 0 0.0% -100-2.4% Educational and Health 10,000 10,100 10,200-100 -1.0% -200-2.0% y 5,100 4,900 5,000 200 4.1% 100 2.0% Other Services 2,700 2,700 2,700 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Government 8,000 8,000 8,300 0 0.0% -300-3.6% Kalamazoo MSA % % 138,100 136,600 136,800 1,500 1.1% 1,300 1.0% Mining, Logging, and Construction 4,600 4,300 4,300 300 7.0% 300 7.0% Manufacturing 19,300 19,400 18,900-100 -0.5% 400 2.1% Trade, Transportation, Utilities 23,400 23,200 23,600 200 0.9% -200-0.8% Information 900 900 800 0 0.0% 100 12.5% Financial Activities 8,000 7,900 8,100 100 1.3% -100-1.2% Professional and Business 15,600 15,500 15,300 100 0.6% 300 2.0% Educational and Health 22,400 22,500 22,600-100 -0.4% -200-0.9% y 15,600 14,300 14,900 1,300 9.1% 700 4.7% Other Services 5,800 5,800 5,700 0 0.0% 100 1.8% Government 22,500 22,800 22,600-300 -1.3% -100-0.4% Niles-Benton Harbor MSA % % 60,600 58,900 59,000 1,700 2.9% 1,600 2.7% Mining, Logging, and Construction 1,700 1,500 1,600 200 13.3% 100 6.2% Manufacturing 12,300 12,400 11,900-100 -0.8% 400 3.4% Trade, Transportation, Utilities 10,600 10,100 10,300 500 5.0% 300 2.9% Information 500 500 500 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Financial Activities 2,300 2,300 2,500 0 0.0% -200-8.0% Professional and Business 6,000 5,500 5,600 500 9.1% 400 7.1% Educational and Health 8,900 8,900 9,300 0 0.0% -400-4.3% y 7,000 6,400 6,100 600 9.4% 900 14.8% Other Services 2,300 2,300 2,400 0 0.0% -100-4.2% Government 9,000 9,000 8,800 0 0.0% 200 2.3% Page 5
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, Regional Analyst Figure 11: Southwest Michigan Works! Agencies Local Area Employment Data January February May June July August September October November December Ann Avg Barry-Branch-Calhoun Labor force 113,450 115,100 115,525 115,550 114,900 Employment 105,625 106,500 107,325 108,650 107,025 Unemployed 7,825 8,600 8,175 6,925 7,875 Rate 6.9 7.5 7.1 6.0 6.9 Barry Labor force 30,175 30,550 30,775 30,675 30,550 Employment 28,200 28,350 28,625 28,925 28,525 Unemployed 1,975 2,175 2,150 1,725 2,000 Rate 6.5 7.1 7.0 5.7 6.6 Branch Labor force 19,150 19,425 19,550 19,600 19,425 Employment 17,625 17,800 18,025 18,325 17,950 Unemployed 1,525 1,625 1,500 1,275 1,475 Rate 8.0 8.4 7.7 6.5 7.6 Calhoun Labor force 64,100 65,100 65,200 65,300 64,900 Employment 59,800 60,300 60,700 61,400 60,500 Unemployed 4,300 4,800 4,500 3,900 4,400 Rate 6.8 7.4 7.0 6.0 6.8 Berrien-Cass-Van Buren Labor force 129,725 131,575 132,150 132,850 131,575 Employment 118,675 119,700 120,925 123,750 120,775 Unemployed 11,075 11,875 11,200 9,075 10,800 Rate 8.5 9.0 8.5 6.8 8.2 Berrien Labor force 69,700 70,700 71,100 72,200 70,900 Employment 64,000 64,500 65,200 67,200 65,200 Unemployed 5,700 6,200 5,900 4,900 5,700 Rate 8.2 8.8 8.2 6.8 8.0 Cass Labor force 25,325 25,450 25,500 25,350 25,400 Employment 23,250 23,350 23,500 23,850 23,475 Unemployed 2,100 2,100 2,000 1,500 1,925 Rate 8.3 8.3 7.8 5.9 7.6 Van Buren Labor force 34,750 35,425 35,550 35,350 35,275 Employment 31,475 31,875 32,200 32,700 32,050 Unemployed 3,275 3,550 3,350 2,650 3,200 Rate 9.4 10.0 9.4 7.5 9.1 Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Labor force 150,800 153,250 154,475 155,750 153,575 Employment 141,450 143,200 144,650 147,050 144,100 Unemployed 9,350 10,050 9,825 8,700 9,475 Rate 6.2 6.6 6.4 5.6 6.2 Kalamazoo Labor force 122,375 124,625 125,625 126,575 124,800 Employment 115,000 116,500 117,675 119,500 117,150 Unemployed 7,375 8,125 7,975 7,075 7,650 Rate 6.0 6.5 6.3 5.6 6.1 St. Joseph Labor force 28,425 28,650 28,850 29,175 28,775 Employment 26,450 26,700 26,975 27,575 26,925 Unemployed 1,950 1,950 1,875 1,625 1,850 Rate 6.9 6.8 6.5 5.5 6.4 South Central Michigan Labor force 132,400 134,275 134,700 134,400 133,950 Employment 121,650 122,725 123,625 124,550 123,150 Unemployed 10,750 11,550 11,075 9,850 10,800 Rate 8.1 8.6 8.2 7.3 8.1 Hillsdale Labor force 18,775 19,100 19,100 19,125 19,025 Employment 17,125 17,300 17,400 17,675 17,375 Unemployed 1,650 1,800 1,700 1,425 1,650 Rate 8.8 9.4 9.0 7.5 8.7 Jackson Labor force 69,500 70,400 70,700 70,600 70,300 Employment 64,000 64,400 64,900 65,500 64,700 Unemployed 5,500 6,000 5,800 5,100 5,600 Rate 8.0 8.5 8.2 7.2 8.0 Lenawee Labor force 44,100 44,800 44,925 44,700 44,625 Employment 40,575 41,075 41,325 41,350 41,075 Unemployed 3,525 3,725 3,600 3,350 3,550 Rate 8.0 8.3 8.0 7.5 8.0 Page 6