Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.0% with the biggest shift in Manufacturing, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Battle Creek, MI market rose by 399 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 6.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Battle Creek, MI unemployment rate is 174 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 70 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 11.1% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Battle Creek, MI Unemployment October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 10,400; +100
  • Manufacturing: 9,800; -300
  • Education & Healthcare: 9,700; +200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 9,400; +200
  • Business Services: 5,100; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 3,900; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 2,000; no change
  • Other Jobs: 1,800; no change
  • Financial Services: 1,100; no change
Battle Creek, MI Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.