(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/18/2023) Michigan's unemployment rate reached 3.8% in April, matching the jobless rate of February 2020, the month before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
April's employment level of 4,682,000 was the largest seen since March 2020, but still 72,000 below February 2020. It's 0.4 percentage points above the U.S. rate and 0.2 percentage points below the April 2022 unemployment number.
Overall, numbers this low haven't been seen consistently since 1999 and 2000, which had the Governor's office, the House Democratic caucus and the Michigan Democratic Party churning out statements heralding the numbers.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan has only seen unemployment levels this low three times since the 1970s.
"The numbers don't lie -- Michigan is stronger than ever," said House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). "Fiscally responsible tax cuts, investments in housing and community development, and smart job-creation strategies are paying dividends for people across the state."
