Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates edged downward in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in February, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

Total employment was mixed in the various regions over the month, while labor force levels were little changed in most areas.

“In general, Michigan’s local labor markets were stable in February,” said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Local jobless rates remain elevated, but rate increases since February 2009 have moderated.”

From January to February, unemployment rate reductions in the state’s regional areas were modest, with declines ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 percentage points, and a median decease of only 0.3 of a percentage point.

The Monroe, Niles-Benton Harbor and Flint Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) posted the largest rate declines over the month. In Berrien County, the jobless rate was 15.2 percent in January 2010, compared to 14.6 percent in February 2010 (12.3 percent in February 2009), when there were 11,100 out of work in a civilian labor force of 76,100.