Unemployment
Goal: Saginaw County will have unemployment rates no higher than the federal level and will provide access to jobs within a living wage.
Measure
The percentage of unemployed persons in relation to the total labor force. Unemployed persons are defined as those with no job, who are actively seeking work.
Why This Indicator is Important
Unemployment rates measure employment conditions in a given area and the ability of residents to take advantage of available employment opportunities. Participation rates reflect the percentage of the population that is in the labor force.
By comparing the percentage of individuals participating in the labor force to those able to find work, we can gain a greater perspective on unemployment in Saginaw County. We can then design strategies to address barriers to employment. It is also important to look at the percentage of people that have dropped out of the labor force and are no longer looking for work, as they are not counted in the unemployment rate.
By comparing the percentage of individuals participating in the labor force to those able to find work, we can gain a greater perspective on unemployment in Saginaw County. We can then design strategies to address barriers to employment. It is also important to look at the percentage of people that have dropped out of the labor force and are no longer looking for work, as they are not counted in the unemployment rate.
How Are We Doing?
From 2006 to 2008 Saginaw County and Michigan’s rates remained equal. Since 2009, Saginaw County’s unemployment rate has remained 2 to 3 percent below Michigan’s rate of 14.5 percent in 2009 and 13.7 percent in 2010. Data shows that since January of 2010, Saginaw County had a steady decrease in rate, while in Michigan that only occurred in the last quarter.
How Can You Have An Impact?
- Raise awareness about resources available to the unemployed, such as resume and job application workshops at the local library.
- Support job training programs to reduce unemployment.
- Encourage community members to graduate high school and pursue higher education.
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