MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT & BUDGET

BUREAU OF LABOR MARKET INFORMATION & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES AUGUST 2015
(By Place of Residence Not Seasonally Adjusted)
CIVILIAN
LABOR
FORCE
Upper Peninsula

TOTAL
EMPLMT

TOTAL
UNEMPL

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (%)

JULY
AUGUST
AUGUST
2015
2015
2014

142,800

134,700

8,100

5.6

6.8

7.2

Eastern U. P.
Chippewa County
Luce County
Mackinac County

25,525
16,450
2,600
6,450

24,175
15,425
2,475
6,275

1,350
1,025
125
175

5.3
6.3
5.3
2.8

6.4
7.6
6.6
3.3

7.1
8.3
7.2
3.7

Central U. P.
Alger County
Delta County
Dickinson County
Marquette County
Menominee County
Schoolcraft County

82,225
3,450
17,625
13,200
32,675
11,725
3,525

77,600
3,225
16,625
12,575
30,825
11,150
3,200

4,600
225
1,000
625
1,850
575
350

5.6
6.4
5.7
4.7
5.6
4.9
9.6

6.7
7.6
6.8
5.5
7.0
5.7
11.3

6.9
8.3
7.4
5.9
6.8
6.5
9.3

Western U. P.
Baraga County
Gogebic County
Houghton County
Keweenaw County
Iron County
Ontonagon County

35,025
3,550
6,600
16,325
925
5,200
2,450

32,925
3,275
6,175
15,450
875
4,900
2,250

2,100
250
425
850
50
300
200

6.0
7.4
6.5
5.3
6.1
5.9
7.7

7.3
8.9
7.6
6.7
7.7
6.7
9.2

7.9
9.7
8.2
7.1
9.0
7.5
10.3

4,770,900
157,390,000

4,524,500
149,228,000

246,400
8,162,000

5.2
5.2

6.1
5.6

7.3
6.3

Michigan
United States

Unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula contracted during the month of August, as the regional rate moved
down to 5.6 percent, a monthly decline of 1.2 percentage points. During the month, unemployment rates decreased
in all the Upper Peninsulas 15 counties with monthly reductions ranging from -0.5 of a percentage point
(Mackinac County) to -1.7 percentage points (Schoolcraft County). Above average August unemployment rate
decreases were reported by Keweenaw County down by -1.6 percentage points, Baraga and Ontonagon counties
down by -1.5 percentage points, and Marquette and Houghton counties down by -1.4 percentage points.
During August, Mackinac County posted the lowest jobless rate in Michigan at 2.8 percent. Relatively low
unemployment rates were also experienced in Dickinson (4.7 percent) and Menominee (4.9 percent) counties. The
highest jobless rate in Michigan was recorded by Schoolcraft County at 9.6 percent. Above average rates were
registered in Ontonagon, Baraga, and Gogebic counties at 7.7, 7.4 and 6.5 percent, respectively.
The drop in August jobless rates in the Upper Peninsula counties was partially due to small seasonal declines in
the number of individuals active looking for work. However, the UP also reported employment gains during the
month that were typically concentrated in construction, recreation, and accommodation and food services, as hotel
and restaurant jobs are generated by seasonal increase in tourism activities.
Since August 2014 the unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula contracted by -1.6 percentage points. Over the
year, jobless rates fell in all but one of the 15 regional counties. The largest rate declines were posted in
Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties, down by -2.9 and -2.6 percentage points, respectively, followed by Baraga
County (-2.3 percentage points), and Chippewa County (-2.0 percentage points). Schoolcraft was the only county
with a jobless rate increase over the year, moving up by 0.3 of a percentage point.
The Upper Peninsulas not seasonally adjusted August 2015 unemployment rate of 5.6 percent was higher than
Michigans rate of 5.2 percent and the national rate also of 5.2 percent.