For those who are sure the headline above is a misprint – no, the Michigan economy is doing well and Flint is among the U.S. metropolitan areas where wages are up in a big way.
Despite all the turmoil and stinging publicity due to contaminated drinking water, the Flint metro area — basically Genesee County — ranks seventh among all metro areas in the nation with growth in average real wages of 5.3%, according to an analysis of data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Michigan beat most states in terms of real wage growth (adjusted for inflation) last year even as almost every state and metro area in the Great Lakes State saw real wage gains in 2015 compared with 2014.
On average, real wages grew by 2.9 percent across the nation during that period, while Michigan saw a 3.1 percent growth, ranking it 15th in the U.S. That’s according to University of Michigan economist Don Grimes, who analyzed the figures.
The Detroit metro area was listed at 101st, with a real wage increase of 3.4 percent. Yet, at the same time, Macomb County has posted its highest employment level – 408,000 — in 15 years.
The most recent jobs update from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Macomb County has gained more than 10,000 jobs in the past three months and nearly 25,000 in the past year.
“Businesses are finding success tapping into the world-class talent we have here in Macomb County,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, a Macomb Township Democrat. “The county has emerged as a leader in advanced manufacturing technology. Sophisticated new industries in aerospace, life science, information technology, defense and homeland security have grown alongside Macomb’s traditional manufacturing businesses.”
Hackel’s premier bipartisan ally, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, is offered a welcome respite in these strong economic statistics after his national reputation was sullied by the Flint water crisis and his state standing has been damaged by school funding issues and a political feud with his potential successor, state Attorney General Bill Schuette.
In a statement, the beleaguered Snyder said this:
This marks the second consecutive quarter that our state has had one of the fastest growing personal income rates among the states. This important economic measure signals a rise in quality of life for residents — not only are jobs growing in Michigan overall, but incomes are too. These positive reports make it clear that Michigan continues to build momentum and demonstrate to the rest of the nation that our economy is firing on all cylinders.
