By Staff
Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November increased by five-tenths of a percentage point to 6.6 percent, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG).
Total employment in the state grew by 6,000, but as the state's labor force expanded by 34,000 over the month, unemployment rose by 28,000.
Michigan's November 2005 jobless rate came in at eight-tenths of a percentage point below the November 2004 rate of 7.4 percent.
In the same period, the national jobless rate decreased by four-tenths of a percentage point to 5.0 percent.
The jobless rate of 6.6 percent places November's rate at similar levels recorded in August and September.
With the minor employment gain over the month, November's statewide total of 4,798,000 was the highest level recorded so far in 2005. Total employment has been trending upward throughout the year.
Since November 2004, unemployment fell in Michigan by 40,000 or 10.6 percent, which outpaced the nationwide decrease of 5.5 percent in the same period.