3 SE Michigan counties see rise in jobless rates

3/19/2010

Jobless rates in Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Monroe counties in Michigan rose in January, a Michigan report Thursday shows.

In Hillsdale County, the unemployment rate climbed to 18.4 percent from 17.6 percent in December, the Lenawee rate went to 17.1 percent from 16.6 percent, and the Monroe rate to 15.8 percent from 14.7 a month, according to figures released yesterday by the state Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth.

The rates increased in 76 of Michigan's 83 counties in January compared to December. The state had eight counties with rates higher than 20 percent, and one, Mackinac County, over 30 percent.

The statewide rate, released last week, was 14.9 percent, up from 14.3 percent in December.