Washtenaw County to See Continued, Measured Growth Through 2028
Posted By: DBUSINESS on April 28, 2026. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
Washtenaw County’s economy is forecast to see continued, measured growth through 2028, even as risks persist, according to a new report recently presented at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.
The outlook points to a resilient local economy, supported by a highly educated workforce, major institutional anchors, and a concentration in knowledge-based industries.
“Ultimately, we expect modest job gains, gradual improvement in unemployment, and continued real wage growth over the next three years for Washtenaw County,” economists at the University of Michigan’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics (RSQE) wrote in the 41st annual Washtenaw County Economic Outlook. “Though meaningful risks remain, we believe that Washtenaw’s economy is well-positioned to handle the bumpy road ahead.”
he report highlights the long-term strengths as key buffers against risks, including geopolitical conflict and ongoing trade and monetary policy uncertainty.
The annual outlook was presented at the recent President’s Leadership Recognition Luncheon sponsored by the WCC Foundation, where college leaders emphasized the institution’s role in supporting the region’s economy.
“This outlook reinforces what we see every day that Washtenaw County’s strength comes from its people, its institutions, and its ability to adapt,” says Rose B. Bellanca, president of WCC. “We’re committed to preparing the skilled workforce that will help sustain that growth and support our region’s long-term economic vitality.”
Government and private higher-education services account for about 70 percent of the county’s gross domestic product — a contrast to the state overall — and are expected to drive much of the job growth through 2028. Additional gains are projected in private health and social services.
“Although these industries are likely to face a challenging federal funding environment in the coming years, Michigan’s aging population is expected to continue supporting demand,” the economists noted.
The county’s unemployment rate is projected to edge down to 4.1 percent — about 1 percentage point below the state average — by 2028, while total payroll employment is expected to rise modestly and surpass pre-pandemic levels.
Real wages are projected to reach $76,600 by 2028, about 8.2 percent above the state average. However, cost-of-living-adjusted wage growth has lagged the nation’s, tempering the longer-term outlook.
The report was presented by RSQE Director Gabriel Ehrlich, and economist Donald Grimes.
RSQE develops U.S. and Michigan economic outlooks four times annually and has been forecasting at the University of Michigan since 1952. The group was recently recognized by Consensus Economics with its 2025 Forecast Accuracy Award for the United States.
U-M economists Jacob T. Burton, Daniil Manaenkov, and Michael R. McWilliams also contributed to the forecast.
To read the full report, visit 2026–2028 Washtenaw County Economic Outlook.
Washtenaw Community College provides education and training in a wide range of associate and certificate programs in areas such as liberal arts, health care, business, STEM, advanced transportation and mobility.
The college also offers accelerated and online programs to meet student needs, and works through community, business, and union partnerships to develop specialized training programs to meet the region’s workforce needs.
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