Unemployment Down Along Lakeshore in February, According to State Officials

LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Apr. 24, 2026) – Joblessness slid along the Lakeshore and across the state in February.

That’s according to numbers disclosed on Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Based on data from the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, not seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates fell in 17 of the state’s 18 major labor market areas, and in 73 of the state’s 83 counties.

This includes both Ottawa and Allegan counties. Ottawa’s jobless mark stood at 3.8 percent in February, down a half a percentage point from January, and seven tenths lower than a year ago, while the most recent level in Allegan County of 4.4 percent compares to 4.8 percent in January and 5.7 percent in February of 2025.

State officials say that the declines stemmed from shrinkage in workforce levels and some increases in the amount of payroll jobs available.