Ann Arbor region's unemployment rate ticks down to 10.3 percent
The Ann Arbor region’s unemployment rate ticked downward to 10.3 percent in July, mirroring a brief respite in Michigan’s workforce contraction.
The area’s jobless rate dipped from 10.6 percent in June to 10.3 percent in July, according to statistics released this afternoon by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. Although the unemployment rate declined, Washtenaw County also lost 1,700 jobs in July.
Michigan’s unemployment rate briefly reversed its rapid rise, declining from 15.2 percent to 15.0 in July reports released last week.
Ann Arbor’s unemployment rate has spiked 45 percent since July 2008, when the rate stood at 7.1 percent.
The region’s typically steady employment base has not been able to escape the implosion of the domestic auto industry. But early indications suggest that the local manufacturing sector might have sustained its heaviest losses.
“Because local auto manufacturers and suppliers weathered so many reductions at the end of 2008 and during the first half of this year, model-changeover shutdowns generated far fewer layoffs in July 2009,” DELEG reported. “This was largely a statewide phenomenon as well.”
The U.S. unemployment rate in July was 9.4 percent, down from 9.5 in June.
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at nathanbomey@annarbor.com, (734) 623-2587 or follow him on Twitter.
Comments
David Cahill
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 9:17 a.m.
As Nathan pointed out in an earlier story, the "Ann Arbor area" includes all of Washtenaw County. The figures for the City of Ann Arbor are not easily available.
American Patriot
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 9:17 a.m.
Looks like that Obama "stimulus package" is really doing its job!! Whatever....
bhall
Thu, Aug 27, 2009 : 9:27 p.m.
Thanks for the info Nathan. I would just say that DLEG is putting forward a point of view, not a fact, and should be treated as such. Other economists might disagree.
AccruedInterest
Thu, Aug 27, 2009 : 3:55 p.m.
to Bulldog's point: what's the real unemployment, ie U-6? Add disgruntled jobless who aren't looking for work and part-timers who would work FT if they could. I heard a report recently that MI rate would be over 20% if they were included.
Nathan Bomey
Thu, Aug 27, 2009 : 2:51 p.m.
BHall, thanks for the comment. Fair question! In its report, DELEG suggests that the Ann Arbor area has lost so many manufacturing jobs over the last 18 months that new losses are declining. Here's additional information taken directly from the report: "Manufacturing in the county dipped by 300 jobs over the month, though the sector typically experiences a decline of roughly 2,100 between June and July. Because local auto manufacturers and suppliers weathered so many reductions at the end of 2008 and during the first half of this year, model-changeover shutdowns generated far fewer layoffs in July 2009. This was largely a statewide phenomenon as well."
bhall
Thu, Aug 27, 2009 : 2:45 p.m.
"early indications suggest that the local manufacturing sector might have sustained its heaviest losses" Says who?
bulldog01
Thu, Aug 27, 2009 : 2:36 p.m.
The unemployment rate goes down also when people have exhausted benefits - not always because they now have a job!