Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 3,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.
Total employment in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI market rose by 915 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.
- Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 46 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 170 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 0.7% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 2.8% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 26,600; +300
- Education & Healthcare: 24,700; no change
- Manufacturing: 22,200; +100
- Government: 21,100; +3,600
- Business Services: 16,000; +600
- Restaurants & Hotels: 13,500; -300
- Financial Services: 7,700; -100
- Construction, Mining: 7,000; -200
- Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
- IT & Development: 900; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.