Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Business Services, 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 1,304 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.
- Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 34 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 70 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 5.6% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.4% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,100; +500
- Education & Healthcare: 24,800; no change
- Manufacturing: 22,100; no change
- Government: 21,600; +500
- Business Services: 16,700; +700
- Restaurants & Hotels: 13,600; +100
- Financial Services: 7,700; no change
- Construction, Mining: 7,100; +100
- Other Jobs: 4,800; +100
- IT & Development: 900; no change
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.