Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 4.1% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI market rose by 43 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 41 bps above the national rate which is a negative 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 6.9% 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 December 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 28,000; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 24,700; -200
  • Manufacturing: 22,400; +200
  • Government: 21,800; -400
  • Business Services: 16,500; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,100; -200
  • Financial Services: 7,700; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 6,600; -300
  • Other Jobs: 4,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 900; no change
Kalamazoo-Portage, 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.