Unemployment numbers up in western UP counties

Unemployment rose in four of the five western Upper Peninsula counties in April, according to the Michigan Bureau of Labor Information.

In Gogebic and Ontonagon counties all the different numbers which define the labor market were impacted.

Unemployment in Ontonagon County rose from 14.5 percent in March to 15.2 percent in April. The civilian labor market fell by 50; total employment fell by 75 and total unemployment rose by 25. A year ago, the April rate was 14.5 percent.

The Gogebic County jobless rate rose more than one full percentage rate, from 9.7 percent in March to 10.8 percent in April. The labor market in Gogebic County fell by 175 in the month, total employment fell by 225 and unemployment rose by 50. A year ago, the rate was 11 percent.

Unemployment in Baraga County fell by a fraction 17.9 percent to 17.7 percent and one year ago it was 16.7 percent.

Houghton County in April recorded a slight tick from 9.1 percent in March to 9.2 percent in April. A year ago it was also 9.1 percent.

Little Keweenaw County had the biggest decrease in unemployment from 14.9 percent in March to 13.6 percent in April. One year ago it was 13.4 percent.

Marquette County, at 6.9 percent, posted the lowest jobless rate in the Upper Peninsula.

Baraga County had the highest at 17.7 percent.