Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Michigan Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Grand Rapids rose 0.3 percentage points in October 2018 to 3.2%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points lower than the Michigan rate. The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids peaked in July 2009 at 12.4% and is now 9.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.7% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.5 percentage points. You can also compare Grand Rapids unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	October 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.4
Michigan	3.9%	-0.1	-0.8
Grand Rapids	3.2%	+0.3	-0.6

Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.¹ All comparisons are made with October 2018 data as November metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Grand Rapids, Michigan, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Grand Rapids, Michigan Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Grand Rapids peaked in June 2009 at 62,293. There are now 43,799 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 15,744 in July 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 2,750.

Unemployed Persons	October 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Grand Rapids	18,494	+1,429	-3,146

Number of Unemployed Persons

Grand Rapids, Michigan Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Michigan Unemployment Rate	Grand Rapids Unemployment Rate	Grand Rapids Unemployed
November 2018	3.7%	—	—	—
October 2018	3.7%	3.9%	3.2%	18,494
September 2018	3.7%	4.0%	2.9%	17,065
August 2018	3.9%	4.1%	2.7%	15,842
July 2018	3.9%	4.3%	2.7%	15,744
June 2018	4.0%	4.4%	2.8%	16,325
May 2018	3.8%	4.6%	3.0%	17,195
April 2018	3.9%	4.7%	3.3%	19,486
March 2018	4.1%	4.7%	3.3%	19,122
February 2018	4.1%	4.8%	3.7%	21,301
January 2018	4.1%	4.7%	3.7%	21,497
December 2017	4.1%	4.7%	3.9%	22,329