PEOPLE | 07
LABOR FORCE
After peaking in Q4 2024 at nearly 636,000 people, Greater Grand Rapids’ labor force contracted through the first half of 2025, reaching approximately 629,000 by Q2. Greater Grand Rapids’ labor force contracted by 5,500 people from Q1 2025 to Q2 2025. Likewise, the region’s labor force declined by 1,300 people (less than 1%) from Q2 of 2024.
Unemployment climbed through 2024 and into 2025, reaching 4.7% in Q2. Greater Grand Rapids’ unemployment began outpacing that of the nation in Q3 2024. The region’s unemployment rate remains less than that of the state. Unemployment rates, in general, have climbed across metropolitan, state, and national levels since 2024.
GREATER GRAND RAPIDS LABOR FORCE BY QUARTER
GREATER GRAND RAPIDS UNEMPLOYMENT BY QUARTER
Greater Grand Rapids
Michigan
United States
20%
640,000
18%
630,000
16%
620,000
14%
610,000
12%
600,000
10%
590,000
8%
580,000
6%
570,000
4%
560,000
2%
550,000
0%
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
2022
2023 2024 2025
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Right Place, Inc. | State of the Region 2025
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