(AREA) — Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in July rose in all of the state’s 17 major labor market areas, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment and labor force levels declined in the majority of regions over the month. In July, all major areas in the state reported unemployment rates of 6.5 percent or lower, while nine Michigan regions displayed rates below the national seasonally unadjusted rate of 5.1 percent. Locally, all five counties in the Thumb saw their rates increase in July. Lapeer County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.8 percent, followed by Tuscola and St. Clair counties at 6.5 percent. Sanilac County had a 6.1 percent rate, up from 5.4 percent in June, and Huron County came in with the lowest at 5.3 percent, up from 4.5 percent in June. Seventy-eight of Michigan’s 83 counties recorded seasonal jobless rate increases in July.
