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Top 10 Cities in Michigan with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your hometown, you may be considering a job change within your community. Understanding the ease of finding work in your area is crucial. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of Michigan cities boasting the most robust job markets, as indicated by their unemployment rates.
Many residents settle in their locations due to job opportunities, but if you’re contemplating a move to Michigan for various reasons or seeking employment after relocating, knowing the strength of the job market is essential.
We analyzed demographic data from the Census to pinpoint cities with the lowest unemployment rates. We set a minimum population threshold and gathered the latest statistics to identify the top contenders in the Wolverine State:
- Birmingham(Jobs)
- New Baltimore(Jobs)
- Grandville(Jobs)
- East Grand Rapids(Jobs)
- Beverly Hills(Jobs)
- Novi(Jobs)
- Royal Oak(Jobs)
- Farmington Hills(Jobs)
- Wixom(Jobs)
- South Lyon(Jobs)
Whether you’re a job seeker or an employer aiming to relocate to a vibrant community, a strong employment rate is a solid indicator of a locale’s economic health. Birmingham, leading the list with the lowest unemployment rate, exemplifies this trend.
Continue reading to discover how we identified these promising cities in Michigan.
For more job opportunities in Michigan, check out:
How We Determined the Cities in Michigan with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To identify Michigan’s most employed cities, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000 residents and accessible data.
This approach led us to analyze 93 Michigan cities.
We evaluated unemployment rates sourced from the most recent American Community Survey from the Census Bureau, ranking cities based on their job market strength. Our analysis reflects the potential for individuals seeking employment, whether they are relocating within the state or from elsewhere.
Cities were ranked from 1 to 93, with the top position awarded to the city with the lowest unemployment rate. In cases of ties, the larger city was given preference.
If your city isn’t among the top ten, scroll down for a comprehensive chart. Otherwise, let’s delve into the top ten cities and their impressive job markets.
1. Birmingham
Population: 20,382
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Birmingham tops our list with an impressive 3.7% unemployment rate, making it the standout city for job seekers.
2. New Baltimore
Population: 12,144
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
New Baltimore holds the second position with a solid 4.0% unemployment rate, indicating a healthy job market.
3. Grandville
Population: 15,613
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Grandville secures the bronze position with a 4.3% unemployment rate, showcasing its strong employment opportunities.
4. East Grand Rapids
Population: 10,999
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
East Grand Rapids shares the bronze medal with a similar unemployment rate of 4.3%, making it a great location for job seekers.
5. Beverly Hills
Population: 10,368
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
Beverly Hills ranks fifth with a competitive unemployment rate of 4.6%, making it an attractive community for professionals.
6. Novi
Population: 56,887
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Novi comes in sixth with a 4.8% unemployment rate, offering a variety of job opportunities for its residents.
7. Royal Oak
Population: 58,382
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Royal Oak holds the seventh spot with a 5.1% unemployment rate, reflecting a vibrant job market.
8. Farmington Hills
Population: 80,682
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Farmington Hills ties with Royal Oak at 5.1%, showcasing its robust employment landscape.
9. Wixom
Population: 13,640
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Wixom rounds out the top nine with a 5.2% unemployment rate, indicating a healthy job market.
10. South Lyon
Population: 11,514
Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
South Lyon completes our list at #10 with a 5.4% unemployment rate, demonstrating its potential for job seekers.
Summary of Unemployment Rates Across Michigan
Here you have it—the top ten cities with the lowest unemployment rates in Michigan, backed by solid job numbers. If you’re considering a move to the Mitten State and want to ensure job security, these cities should be at the top of your list.
For further insights on job markets across the U.S., visit www.zippia.com, and if you’re a recent college graduate evaluating state options, explore which states are most favorable for graduates.
For a quick glance, here are the areas in Michigan with the highest unemployment rates:
- Highland Park
- Detroit
- Muskegon Heights
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Michigan
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 1 | 3.7% |
| New Baltimore | 2 | 4.0% |
| Grandville | 3 | 4.3% |
| East Grand Rapids | 4 | 4.3% |
| Beverly Hills | 5 | 4.6% |
| Novi | 6 | 4.8% |
| Royal Oak | 7 | 5.1% |
| Farmington Hills | 8 | 5.1% |
| Wixom | 9 | 5.2% |
| South Lyon | 10 | 5.4% |
| Grosse Pointe Park | 11 | 5.4% |
| Rochester Hills | 12 | 5.6% |
| Grosse Pointe Woods | 13 | 5.7% |
| Trenton | 14 | 5.7% |
| Rochester | 15 | 5.7% |
| Farmington | 16 | 5.8% |
| Walker | 17 | 5.9% |
| Clawson | 18 | 6.1% |
| Berkley | 19 | 6.1% |
| Troy | 20 | 6.2% |
| Livonia | 21 | 6.3% |
| Traverse City | 22 | 6.4% |
| Ann Arbor | 23 | 6.5% |
| Portage | 24 | 6.6% |
| Holland | 25 | 6.7% |
| Riverview | 26 | 7.1% |
| Wyoming | 27 | 7.2% |
| Kentwood | 28 | 7.2% |
| Allen Park | 29 | 7.7% |
| Midland | 30 | 8.1% |
| Sterling Heights | 31 | 8.1% |
| Woodhaven | 32 | 8.4% |
| Fraser | 33 | 8.5% |
| Norton Shores | 34 | 8.6% |
| Coldwater | 35 | 8.8% |
| Marquette | 36 | 8.9% |
| Auburn Hills | 37 | 8.9% |
| St. Clair Shores | 38 | 8.9% |
| Garden City | 39 | 9.0% |
| Fenton | 40 | 9.1% |
| Southgate | 41 | 9.2% |
| Westland | 42 | 9.2% |
| Alpena | 43 | 9.2% |
| Monroe | 44 | 9.2% |
| Ferndale | 45 | 9.3% |
| Cadillac | 46 | 9.3% |
| East Lansing | 47 | 9.6% |
| Madison Heights | 48 | 9.8% |
| Dearborn | 49 | 9.9% |
| Wayne | 50 | 10.1% |
| Grand Haven | 51 | 10.2% |
| Wyandotte | 52 | 10.3% |
| Grand Rapids | 53 | 10.4% |
| Sturgis | 54 | 10.5% |
| Roseville | 55 | 11.1% |
| Escanaba | 56 | 11.1% |
| Dearborn Heights | 57 | 11.4% |
| Southfield | 58 | 11.4% |
| Kalamazoo | 59 | 11.5% |
| Melvindale | 60 | 11.6% |
| Lansing | 61 | 11.7% |
| Sault Ste. Marie | 62 | 11.7% |
| Warren | 63 | 11.8% |
| Lincoln Park | 64 | 12.0% |
| Niles | 65 | 12.0% |
| Owosso | 66 | 12.0% |
| Battle Creek | 67 | 12.1% |
| Harper Woods | 68 | 12.2% |
| Oak Park | 69 | 12.3% |
| Hazel Park | 70 | 12.3% |
| Mount Pleasant | 71 | 12.4% |
| Ypsilanti | 72 | 12.4% |
| Bay City | 73 | 12.4% |
| Adrian | 74 | 13.5% |
| Burton | 75 | 13.5% |
| Eastpointe | 76 | 13.8% |
| Taylor | 77 | 14.4% |
| Mount Clemens | 78 | 14.6% |
| Port Huron | 79 | 14.7% |
| Romulus | 80 | 15.3% |
| Jackson | 81 | 15.6% |
| Inkster | 82 | 16.8% |
| Big Rapids | 83 | 17.1% |
| Hamtramck | 84 | 17.4% |
| Muskegon | 85 | 18.3% |
| Pontiac | 86 | 18.9% |
| Ionia | 87 | 20.3% |
| Saginaw | 88 | 21.1% |
| Benton Harbor | 89 | 23.9% |
| Flint | 90 | 23.9% |
| Muskegon Heights | 91 | 24.5% |
| Detroit | 92 | 24.9% |
| Highland Park | 93 | 32.0% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
