Unemployment in the Upper Peninsula jumped to 7.9 percent in January, up from 6.6 percent in December and 7.1 percent a year ago. However, more people were working than a year ago as the labor force grew by one percent.
The Michigan Department of Technolgy, Management and Budget said the number of workers dropped by 400 from December as the number of unemployed grew by 1,900, an indication that more people are seeking jobs.
County unemployment rates in January:
- Dickinson County 5.4%
- Menominee County 6.1%
- Gogebic County 6.1%
- Houghton County 6.6%
- Marquette County 6.7%
- Iron County 7.8%
- Delta County 7.8%
- Luce County 8.0%
- Baraga County 8.8%
- Ontonagon County 9.3%
- Keweenaw County 9.5%
- Chippewa County 9.8%
- Alger County 10.7%
- Schoolcraft County 11.6%
- Mackinac County 21.1%
Unemployment rates in January rose in all of the state’s 17 major labor market areas. Michigan’s unemployment rate in January was 5.7 percent.