Investigating the COVID-19 Economy in Michigan

The United States had months to prepare for the COVID-19 epidemic and ensuing economic collapse, but the Trump Administration ignored and mismanaged every step of the crisis. As a result of their failure, millions of Americans are sick and 125,000+ have died.

The Trump Administration’s failure also led to widespread economic devastation. Several national and economic trends are consistent across the country, namely a massive demand shock resulting in catastrophic job loss in hospitality, leisure, and retail trade industries. But these trends are only part of the story.

Michiganders, for example, are facing unique economic struggles. Using federal, state, and county-level data on jobs, businesses, and consumer confidence, we show how the COVID-19 economic collapse is affecting people throughout the state. Michigan is suffering uniquely high unemployment and experiencing significant job shed in manufacturing—an industry vital to the state broadly, and the number #1 employer in its suburbs.

Beyond Michigan, explore our slide decks parsing out notable trends in the rest of the Blue Wall, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, some of the most important states in the 2020 election.