Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Manufacturing, which gained 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI market declined by 117 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 69 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 170 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -0.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.3%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 26,300; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 24,600; no change
  • Manufacturing: 22,100; +200
  • Government: 17,400; +100
  • Business Services: 15,300; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,700; -200
  • Financial Services: 7,700; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 7,200; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,700; -100
  • IT & Development: 900; no change
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.