By John Raffel
Correspondent
Osceola County’s unemployment for July was at 4.7 percent according to data released recently by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB).
This ranks Osceola County in a tie for 24th place among the state’s 83 counties for the lowest unemployment rate. Osceola is tied with Clinton, Emmett and Wayne counties.
Livingston County has the state’s lowest rate at 2.2 percent. Oscoda County has the highest at 9.1 percent. Missaukee is tied for 33rd at 5.0 percent.
Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point in July to 4.2 percent, according to data released recently by the Michigan DTMB.
Statewide employment inched up by 8,000 and unemployment was reduced by 5,000, resulting in a minor workforce gain of 3,000 over the month.
“Michigan’s jobless rate slid down to 4.2 percent in July after lingering at 4.3 percent over the previous three months,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, in a statement. “Payroll jobs advanced by 26,000 in July, reflecting gains throughout most major statewide industries.”
Similar to Michigan, the national jobless rate edged down by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.5 percent in July. Michigan’s July unemployment rate was seven-tenths of a percentage point above the U.S. rate.