Regional Economic Trends Archive

This document combines Regional Economic Trends for all four counties: Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph.

Branch County employment declined, with a decrease of more than 230 jobs from Q4 2020 to Q1 2021. Between June and July, both  the unemployment rate and the labor force participation rate fell, while the employment-to-population ratio increased. This is likely a sign that the unemployed are finding work. Job postings were lower in July than in June, with retail sales associate as the most in-demand job.

Calhoun County employment fell from Q4 2020 to Q1 2021 by more than 775 jobs. Between June and July, the unemployment rate and labor force participation rate fell, while the employment-to-population ratio increased slightly. This is likely a sign that unemployed individuals are finding work. Job postings were higher in July than in June, with medical assistant as the most in-demand job.

Kalamazoo County lost nearly 1,400 jobs from Q4 2020 to Q1 2021. Between June and July, the unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, and employment-to-population ratio all fell slightly. This is likely a sign that unemployed individuals are leaving the labor force. Job postings were higher in July than in June, with retail sales associate as the most in-demand job.

St. Joseph County lost nearly 400 jobs from Q4 2020 to Q1 2021. Between June and July, the unemployment rate and labor force participation rate fell while the employment-to-population ratio increased. This is likely a sign that unemployed individuals are finding work. Job postings were higher in July than in June, with retail sales associate as the most in-demand job.

The Michigan Works! Southwest Region continues to recover, gaining more than 2,000 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between May 2021 and June 2021, the unemployment rate stayed the same and the labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratio both increased. This is likely a sign that individuals are reentering the labor market but not necessarily finding jobs right away. Job postings were higher in June than in May, with registered nurse as the most in-demand job.

Branch County continues to show some small growth, with an increase of more than 50 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between May 2021 and June 2021, the unemployment rate held steady, while the labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratio increased. This is likely a sign that individuals are reentering the labor market but not necessarily finding jobs right away. Job postings were higher in June than in May, with truck driver as the most in-demand job.

Calhoun County continues to show small growth, gaining more than 100 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between May 2021 and June 2021, the unemployment rate, employment-to-population ratio, and labor force participation rate were all unchanged. This is likely a sign that individuals are not reentering the labor market. Job postings were lower in June than in May, with truck driver as the most in-demand job.

Kalamazoo County continues to rebound, gaining more than 2,000 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between May 2021 and June 2021, the unemployment rate, employment-to-population ratio, and labor force participation rate all increased. This is likely a sign that individuals are reentering the labor market but not necessarily finding jobs right away. Job postings were higher in June than in May, with registered nurse as the most in-demand job.

St. Joseph County lost more than 150 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between May 2021 and June 2021, the unemployment rate fell, while the labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratio increased. This is likely a sign that individuals are reentering the labor market and finding work swiftly. Job postings were lower in June than in May, with manufacturing machine operator as the most in-demand job.