Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 2,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI market declined by 697 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 5.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 0 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 970 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in May versus prior month by -2.3% 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 May 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 25,500; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 24,800; +100
  • Manufacturing: 21,900; +300
  • Government: 16,900; -2,100
  • Business Services: 16,100; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 12,800; +400
  • Financial Services: 7,900; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 7,000; +500
  • Other Jobs: 4,700; +100
  • IT & Development: 800; no change
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.