Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI market rose by 719 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 5.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 59 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 460 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in June versus prior month by 0.7% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 26,200; +600
  • Education & Healthcare: 24,800; no change
  • Manufacturing: 22,100; +200
  • Government: 18,700; -500
  • Business Services: 16,400; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,300; +400
  • Financial Services: 7,800; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 7,000; +100
  • Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
  • IT & Development: 800; no change
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.