Livingston County’s jobless rate held mostly steady from April to May.

73 of Michigan’s 83 counties recorded seasonal unemployment rate drops in May, with a median decline of seven-tenths of a percentage point. Livingston County’s unemployment rate stood at 2.8%. The rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point from April to May, and Livingston County’s ranking improved to second among all of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says total employment rose in all areas over the month, while workforce levels increased in most regions.

Officials say as is typical for May, the primary labor market changes occurred in the state’s northern lower Michigan regions as hiring for the tourism season escalated. A monthly survey of employers indicated seasonally unadjusted payroll jobs in the state rose by 65,000 or 1.5% in May. Most job gains were said to be seasonal and led by increases in leisure and hospitality services. (JM)