Unemployment up across most of Western UP

Unemployment rose in five of the six western Upper Peninsula counties in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Market.

The civilian labor market grew in both Gogebic and Ontonagon counties with both total employment and the unemployment rate rising during the month. The labor reports in the two counties are almost identical to each other.

In Gogebic County, 100 people were added to the labor force in May. Seventy-five of them are employed. Total unemployment in Gogebic County is 525, bringing the unemployment rate to 7.9 percent. That was up from the 7.4 percent in April, but better than the 10 percent one year ago.

The Ontonagon County labor force also grew by 100 and is now 2,425. Seventy-five are now employed, leaving 250 unemployed in the county and the Ontonagon unemployment rate to double digit for the first time in several months at 10.9 percent. In April, the rate was 9.9 percent and one year ago 13.2 percent.

Unemployment rates were also up in Baraga County, from 9.3 percent in April to 10 percent in May. One year ago it was 12.5 percent.

Houghton County has the lowest unemployment rate in the five counties, 7.2 percent, up from  6.3 percent last month, but better than the 8.7 percent in May 2014.      

Keweenaw County also registered double digit unemployment at 10.3 percent, up from 10.3 in April and less than 12.2 percent a year ago.