Mich. jobless rate down slightly to 14.3 percent in January; rate relatively stable since July

Michigan’s Jan. jobless rate dips to 14.3 percent

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s unemployment rate hasn’t changed much since the middle of last year, state officials said Tuesday.

The state’s seasonally adjusted January jobless rate was 14.3 percent, down from a revised 14.5 percent in December. The jobless rate has remained fairly stable since July, ranging from 14.2 percent to 14.5 percent, based on recently revised statistics.

The revisions, which occur nationwide, generally lowered the official monthly statewide unemployment rates reported by Michigan in the second half of 2009. The state originally reported unemployment had topped 15 percent last fall.

But the revised rates don’t change the fact that Michigan has had the nation’s highest unemployment rate for four consecutive years. Michigan unemployment is still much higher than a year ago, when the jobless rate was 11.3 percent.

The state has lost an estimated 111,000 jobs in the past 12 months, including 26,000 in manufacturing.

Michigan added an estimated 6,000 non-farm payroll jobs in January. About 10,000 manufacturing jobs were added during the month, mostly connected to the auto industry.

Thousands of jobs were lost in the service sector for health, education and business.

The national unemployment rate was 9.7 percent in January and February.

Michigan’s February jobless rate is due out later this month.