(Graphic by Iron Mountain Daily News)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Upper Peninsula’s jobless rate dropped to 4.8% in August, down from 5.2% in July and 5.1% a year ago, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

Total employment rose in all 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month, but the most pronounced increase was in the Upper Peninsula where it rose by 1.5% — an addition of 1,900 jobs.

“Michigan regional labor markets displayed typical seasonal jobless rate declines in August,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Employment and workforce levels rose in most regions over the year.”

The U.P. civilian labor force was estimated 138,700 workers in August, up by 1% since July and 2.1% from August 2022. The number of unemployed workers fell from 7,200 in July to 6,600 in August.

Michigan’s not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dipped to 4.2% in August, down from 4.3% in July and 4.3% a year ago. August’s employment gains were primarily in government and manufacturing, Rourke said.

Dickinson County’s August jobless rate of 3.9% was down from a July rate of 4.2%. The August 2022 rate was 4.3%.

The county’s civilian labor force totaled 12,592 in August, including 489 unemployed. A year ago, the labor force numbered 12,408, with 539 looking for work.

The August jobless rate in Iron County was 5.1%, down from 5.6% in July and 5.5% in August 2022. The labor force was pegged at 4,863 in August, including 246 jobless. That compared with 4,820 workers a year ago, with 265 unemployed.

Jobless rates fell in 76 of Michigan’s 83 counties between July and August and in 68 counties over the year.

Mackinac County had the lowest jobless rate in the U.P. in August at 3.2%, followed by Dickinson’s rate of 3.9% and Menominee County’s 4%. The highest U.P. jobless rate was 6.3% in Schoolcraft County, while the rate in Ontonagon County was 6.2%.

The U.S. unemployment rate in August was 3.8%, up from 3.5% in July and 3.7% a year ago.