Jobless rates drop in southeast Michigan

1/27/2011

Jobless rates in three southeastern Michigan counties fell last month, as the rate did statewide, a state report Thursday says.

The December unemployment rate in Monroe County was 10.6 percent, down from 10.9 percent in November, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth. The rate in Lewnawee County dropped to 12.4 percent from 12.7 percent and in Hillsdale County to 12.9 percent from 13.4 percent. The rates declined in 14 of the state's 17 major labor markets.

The statewide rate, released last week, decreased to 11.7 percent in December from 12.4 percent in November.