Michigan employment numbers have been falling since May

Michigan job numbers have been dropping since May, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. More people lost jobs than gained them and state employment was down by a net 31,909 people between May and September, a 0.7% loss. Only Pennsylvania, Minnesota and the District of Columbia fared worse.

More people lost jobs than gained them and state employment was down by a net 31,909 people between May and September, a 0.7% loss.

Thirty-three states experienced an increase in employment over the period.

The figures come from a survey of households in Michigan. Mich Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, however, noted that Michigan was doing well and pointed to a survey of employers in Michigan.

"Michigan’s economy is strong, and we’re creating more opportunities for Michiganders to find work,” Whitmer tweeted Wednesday. “Our state added 27,000 new jobs over the past year. Together, we’re helping more people find good-paying work and building a brighter future for Michigan."

The increase that she praised represents a 0.6% gain in jobs. That puts Michigan at 5th weakest job growth among the states.

“Michigan is losing out on the gains happening elsewhere in the country, and the state is falling behind,” said James Hohman, fiscal policy director at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. “The trends from the household survey now show that employment in Michigan headed down.”