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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Upper Peninsula jobless rates held steady in March, ticking down by 0.1 percentage points from February to 7.3%, but up from 6.3% a year ago, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
The civilian labor force in the U.P. was estimated at 133,200, down by 300 from February but up by 1,500 workers from March 2022.
There were 9,700 people unemployed in March, down by 100 from February. In March 2022, 8,300 workers were listed as unemployed.
"Michigan regional labor markets recorded positive trends in March," said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director of the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Jobless rates declined in 12 Michigan regions and remained unchanged in five labor market areas during March, he said.
The unemployment rate declines ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 percentage points, with a median decrease of 0.2 percentage points.
The statewide seasonally unadjusted jobless rate in March was 4.1%, down from 4.6% in February and 4.5% a year ago. The civilian labor force in Michigan increased by 0.6% over the month and 0.8% over the year.
"The largest over-the-month employment gains occurred in the leisure and hospitality sector," Rourke said.
The U.S. unemployment rate of 3.5% in March was down from 3.6% in February, which was also the rate a year ago.
Delta County's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent. he jobless rate in Schoolcraft County was 10.7 percent.
Sixty-four Michigan counties had unemployment rate decreases over the month, while seven had rate increases and 12 stayed the same, Rourke said. Jobless rates rose in 75 of the state's 83 counties over the year.
Menominee County had the lowest jobless rate in the U.P. in February at 4.7%, followed by Dickinson's 4.9% rate and Gogebic County at 5.9%.
Mackinac County had the highest unemployment in both the U.P. and the state at 21.6%. Alger County had the second-highest U.P. rate at 11.7%, followed by Schoolcraft County at 10.7%.
March 2023 unemployment: Menominee 4.7%, Dickinson 4.9%, Gogebic 5.9%, Houghton 6.0%, Marquette 6.2%, Delta 6.9%, Keweenaw 7.4%, Iron 8.1%, Luce 8.2%, Chippewa 8.5%, Baraga 8.8%, Ontonagon 9.1%, Schoolcraft 10.7%, Alger 11.7%, Mackinac 21.6%, U.P. 7.3%, Michigan 4.1%
and U.S. 3.5%