Kalamazoo-Portage, Michigan Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Kalamazoo rose 0.1 percentage points in July 2019 to 3.6%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points lower than the Michigan rate. The unemployment rate in Kalamazoo peaked in June 2009 at 11.5% and is now 7.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.5% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also compare Kalamazoo unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.2
Michigan	4.3%	+0.1	+0.3
Kalamazoo	3.6%	+0.1	+0.1

Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.¹ All comparisons are made with July 2019 data as August metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Kalamazoo, Michigan, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Kalamazoo peaked in June 2009 at 20,246. There are now 14,170 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 5,860 in August 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 216. Kalamazoo employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Kalamazoo, Michigan) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Kalamazoo	6,076	+67	+170

Number of Unemployed Persons

Kalamazoo, Michigan Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Michigan Unemployment Rate	Kalamazoo Unemployment Rate	Kalamazoo Unemployed
September 2019	3.5%	—	—	—
August 2019	3.7%	4.2%	—	—
July 2019	3.7%	4.3%	3.6%	6,076
June 2019	3.7%	4.2%	3.5%	6,009
May 2019	3.6%	4.2%	3.5%	5,984
April 2019	3.6%	4.1%	3.5%	5,975
March 2019	3.8%	4.0%	3.5%	5,949
February 2019	3.8%	4.0%	3.5%	5,872
January 2019	4.0%	4.0%	3.6%	6,004
December 2018	3.9%	4.0%	3.6%	6,025
November 2018	3.7%	4.0%	3.6%	6,013
October 2018	3.8%	4.0%	3.5%	5,957