Unemployment

Aren't we the lucky ones. Baraga County again topped Michigan's highest unemployment list for September.

Baraga County is one of three counties in the western U.P. where unemployment grew in September, going from 23.8 percent to 24.3 percent. Smaller counties have more volatile rates, with events such as the impending move of Terex Handlers having a bigger proportional effect.

Does it sound better to say that the non-seasonally adjusted rate in the six-county area was 13 percent, down two-tenths of a point from August.

The lowest rate our area is Houghton County, where unemployment fell five-tenths of a percentage point to 10.2. (Thank you Michigan Tech) Iron County is next with 11.7, Keweenaw 11.9, Gogebic 13.3, and Ontonagon 13.8.

Every county in the U.P. had unemployment rates significantly higher than those of a year ago, though the 4 percent increase was still lower than the state's 6.3 percent.
The lowest unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula was 6.1 percent in Mackinac County.

I find it hard to believe that the U.P.'s September rate of 11.5 percent was two points higher than the national rate, but well below Michigan's 14.8 percent.

People, especially young people, are moving out and moving on. It's not a pretty picture. All I can say is that we wish you well and come back, we'll leave the light on for you!