Highest Unemployment in Michigan

Top 100 cities ranked by highest unemployment

Best Michigan Cities

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics — 4 topics from climate and air quality data.

Best Climate Cities

Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and clean air.

Cleanest Air Cities

Lowest pollution levels for healthy outdoor living.

Sunniest Cities

Most days of sunshine per year, with warm and dry climate.

Most Urban Cities

Densely populated city centers with the largest urban footprints.

Population & Density

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense

Economy

Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Wages Cheapest Cost of Living

Housing

Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Highest Homeownership Newest Housing Lowest Property Tax

Demographics & Education

Most Educated Best Schools Most Graduate Degrees Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Most Veterans

Health & Safety

Safest Cities Highest Crime Healthiest Cities Lowest Smoking Best Doctor Access Best Dental Access

Climate & Air

Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Sunniest Cities Snowiest Cities Cleanest Air Worst Air Quality

Quality of Life

Shortest Commute Most Work From Home

Civic & Politics

Most Republican Most Democratic

Geography & Infrastructure

Highest Elevation Best Broadband Most EV Stations Most Libraries Most Restaurants

All Countries · United States · Michigan

Highest Unemployment — Michigan

1 Benton Harbor 12.7%

2 Beecher 12.4%

3 Fair Plain 10.8%

4 Muskegon Heights 10.3%

5 Flint 9.6%

6 Highland Park 9.2%

7 Eastpointe 8.3%

8 Buena Vista 8.1%

9 Detroit 7.7%

10 Inkster 7.5%

11 Dowagiac 7.5%

12 Niles 7.2%

13 Springfield 7.0%

14 Albion 6.9%

15 Rockford 6.8%

16 Oak Park 6.7%

17 Pontiac 6.6%

18 Jackson 6.6%

19 Ironwood 6.5%

20 Saginaw 6.2%

21 Davison 6.1%

22 Wayne 6.0%

23 Romulus 5.8%

24 Fenton 5.8%

25 Houghton 5.8%

26 Mount Pleasant 5.7%

27 Allendale 5.6%

28 Lansing 5.5%

29 Port Huron 5.5%

30 Hamtramck 5.4%

31 Three Rivers 5.4%

32 River Rouge 5.2%

33 Ishpeming 5.2%

34 Garden City 5.1%

35 Ypsilanti 5.1%

36 New Haven 5.1%

37 Muskegon 5.0%

38 Richmond 5.0%

39 Alpena 4.9%

40 Warren 4.8%

41 Burton 4.8%

42 Center Line 4.8%

43 Sturgis 4.7%

44 Marshall 4.7%

45 Roseville 4.6%

46 Harper Woods 4.6%

47 Kalamazoo 4.5%

48 Battle Creek 4.5%

49 Lincoln Park 4.5%

50 Holt 4.4%

51 Southfield 4.3%

52 Dearborn Heights 4.3%

53 Alma 4.3%

54 Tecumseh 4.3%

55 Bridgeport 4.3%

56 Taylor 4.2%

57 South Monroe 4.2%

58 Milan 4.2%

59 Holly 4.2%

60 Belding 4.2%

61 Grosse Pointe Woods 4.1%

62 Melvindale 4.1%

63 Flat Rock 4.1%

64 Ecorse 4.0%

65 Dearborn 3.9%

66 Bay City 3.9%

67 Monroe 3.9%

68 Sterling Heights 3.8%

69 East Lansing 3.8%

70 Mount Clemens 3.8%

71 Woodhaven 3.8%

72 Hudsonville 3.8%

73 Clawson 3.7%

74 Flushing 3.7%

75 Cadillac 3.6%

76 Greenville 3.6%

77 Portage 3.5%

78 Auburn Hills 3.5%

79 Waverly 3.5%

80 Comstock Park 3.5%

81 Big Rapids 3.5%

82 Grand Rapids 3.4%

83 Westland 3.4%

84 Kentwood 3.4%

85 Norton Shores 3.4%

86 Fraser 3.4%

87 Sault Ste. Marie 3.4%

88 Escanaba 3.4%

89 Walled Lake 3.4%

90 Frankenmuth 3.4%

91 Farmington Hills 3.3%

92 Northview 3.3%

93 Owosso 3.3%

94 Menominee 3.3%

95 Grand Ledge 3.3%

96 Southgate 3.2%

97 Allen Park 3.2%

98 Cutlerville 3.2%

99 Ferndale 3.2%

100 Charlotte 3.1%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Michigan face significant economic challenges. Benton Harbor has an unemployment rate of 12.7%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Benton Harbor, about 1 in 8 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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