In November, Lenawee County’s unemployment rate dropped below 4%, returning to similar rates seen in the early part of the year between 4.1% and 5.3%, data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (MDTMB) reveals. The state’s jobless rate was slightly higher at 3.6%.

During November, neighboring counties in Michigan also experienced a decrease in unemployment, with figures dropping in Hillsdale County, Jackson County, Washtenaw County, and Monroe County. Overall, the state’s unemployment rate is about half of the rate from a decade ago.

The MDTMB reports that there were 43,989 employed residents in Lenawee County in November out of a workforce of 45,555. There was an increase in the workforce by 459 compared to October, along with an increase of 731 in the number of employed residents. There was a decrease in the number of unemployed people by 272.

Jobless rates fell in 76 counties over the year, including Lenawee County, which had a 3.9% rate in November 2022. Ottawa County had the lowest unemployment rate in November at 2.5%, while Mackinac County saw the highest at 8.4%.

Information on December’s regional and county unemployment rates is expected to be released towards the end of January.