LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Aug. 22, 2025) – Joblessness along the Lakeshore and across the state continues to climb.
In not seasonally-adjusted numbers disclosed on Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, unemployment in Ottawa County stood at 5.2 percent for July, and 5.4 percent in Allegan County. That’s an increase of a tenth of a percentage point and two tenths, respectively, from June’s levels, and is the third straight month that this mark has risen.
State officials say that these jobless rate gains are typical for this time of the year. Dr. Brian Long, Director of Supply Management Research with the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, believes that the cyclical nature of key industries in this region is also a factor.
A year ago, unemployment stood at 4.1 percent in Ottawa County, and 4.3 percent in Allegan County. Long doesn’t think that those levels will return anytime soon.
Joblessness was up in 55 of Michigan’s 83 counties last month, and in 73 of 83 over the past year.
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