Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 1,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI market rose by 137 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI unemployment rate is 19 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 220 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 6.8% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.6%. Key sectors include:

  • Manufacturing: 109,100; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 100,900; +1,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 94,700; -200
  • Business Services: 73,700; -1,700
  • Government: 48,900; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 42,900; -1,300
  • Financial Services: 26,600; -400
  • Construction, Mining: 25,700; -1,300
  • Other Jobs: 20,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 5,600; no change
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.