Despite an increase in statewide unemployment, along with increases at the local level in many areas, Hillsdale County’s unemployment rate dropped by about two percentage points from summer through fall.
According to the latest numbers from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Hillsdale County’s Unemployment rate was 4.4% in November. That’s down from 6.4% at the end of summer.
Hillsdale County ranked 18th out of Michigan’s 83 counties for the lowest unemployment, the highest local ranking in recent memory.
Some of the decrease may be attributable to fewer residents who remain in the market for a job.
Branch County ranked sixth in the state with an even 4% unemployment rate.
Lenawee County posted a 4.6% unemployment rate, Jackson County posted 4.7%, and Calhoun County posted 5.1%.