Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI market rose by 1,946 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 21 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 4.8% 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 November 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 27,800; +700
  • Education & Healthcare: 24,900; +100
  • Manufacturing: 22,300; +200
  • Government: 22,300; +600
  • Business Services: 16,600; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,300; -400
  • Financial Services: 7,700; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 6,900; -200
  • Other Jobs: 4,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 900; no change
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment by Industry November 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.