(LANSING) – Seasonally adjusted jobless rates dropped from July to August around Southern Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says St. Joseph County’s unemployment went down a full percentage point from 6.3% to 5.3%. That was the largest drop in the area.

Branch County saw a decrease from 5.1% to 4.5%. Hillsdale County dropped from 6.2% to 5.3%, while Cass County had a slight decrease from 5.6% to 5.5%.

Statewide the unemployment rate went down from 5.8% to 4.5%

Michigan regions displayed typical season jobless rate reductions in August, according to Wayne Rourke, the Labor Market Information Director For The Michigan Center For Data and Analytics. He says payroll jobs advanced throughout most areas for the month.

Rourke says unemployment rates were elevated compared to August 2023.