LANSING – Unemployment in the Upper Peninsula in August dropped 2 full percentage points from July. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says unemployment in the U.P. in August was 6.6 percent. The labor force dropped slightly to 149,500.

The number of employed people in the U.P. grew by 22-hundred to 139,700. The number of unemployed dropped by 31-hundred to 9,800.

“Jobless rates dropped in August in all Michigan regions partially due to workforce reductions, as fewer unemployed individuals actively sought summer and seasonal jobs. However, employment levels did rise moderately in many areas of the state,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.

Here is a breakdown by county in the Upper Peninsula:

• Mackinac County 3.1%
• Dickinson County 5.3%
• Menominee County 6.2%
• Marquette County 6.2%
• Delta County 6.6%
• Iron County 6.7%
• Houghton County 6.8%
• Keweenaw County 6.8%
• Alger County 6.9%
• Luce County 7.0%
• Gogebic County 7.3%
• Chippewa County 8.3%
• Schoolcraft County 8.4%
• Baraga County 9.3%
• Ontonagon County 9.9%

Mackinac County had the best unemployment rate in the state. Ontonagon County had the worst unemployment rate in state.