Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer - amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
February 2009

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA declined by 2.9 percent (50,959 positions) over the month of January 2009. Private sector employment fell by 3 percent over the month (45,300 jobs) and 3.2 percent over the year (48,500 jobs). Although all major industries experienced employment declines, the most substantial were in Mining, Logging, and Construction (formerly Natural Resources and Construction), which fell by 15.6 percent (9,300 positions) over the month, Professional and Business Services, which fell by 4.5 percent (11,500 positions) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which fell by 3.2 percent (10,600 positions). Retail trade led the decline in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, falling by 4.3 percent (7,800 positions). Government employment also fell, but less substantially, with a 2.3 percent decline (5,700 positions) over the month. This was fairly evenly split between state government (down 2,900) and local government (down 2,800), but the percentage decline of state government employment was more substantial (4.1 percent), compared to local government’s 1.8 percent decline.

Duluth-Superior MSA

The Duluth-Superior MSA’s employment declined by 2.8 percent (4,100 jobs) over the month of January. Over the year the decline is less substantial, falling only 1.4 percent or 2,100. Government employment (down 3.7 percent, 1,000) was harder hit in percentage decline than private sector employment (down 3 percent, 3,100). Most of the Government decrease came from state government, which fell 10 percent (800 jobs). While all private sector industries saw some decreases, the most significant were in Mining, Logging, and Construction, which fell 3.6 percent (540 positions), and in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which fell 3.9 percent (nearly 1,000).

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA fell by 1.5 percent (1,500 jobs) over the month. The loss was equally distributed between private sector employment (down 1.5 percent, 1,400) and Government employment (down 1.4 percent, nearly 200). Local government led the decline in Government employment, falling 2.7 percent (more than 200) but was partially compensated by an increase in state government employees (up 5.8 percent, nearly 100). In the private sector Mining, Logging, and Construction saw a significant decline of 6.1 percent (more than 200), as did Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 3.6 percent, nearly 600) and Professional and Business Services (down 4.4 percent, more than 200).

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA fell 2.6 percent (2,600 jobs) over the month. Government employment fell at a greater rate — down 3.8 percent overall (600 positions). Both state and local government declines contributed to the overall loss, with state government down by 5 percent (less than 300), and local government down by 3.9 percent (more than 300). Among private sector industries Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 4.7 percent, 200) and Retail Trade (down 4.2 percent, 550) saw the most substantial declines.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA fell by 2.5 percent (3,000 jobs) over the month of January. The bulk of the decline came from private sector employment, which fell by 2.6 percent (2,800 jobs). The most significant declines were in Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 9.9 percent, 700), administrative and business services (down 7.4 percent, 400) and in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 2.7 percent, nearly 800). Government employment declined 1.4 percent (more than 200), mostly from state government employment, which fell by 2.9 percent (200 positions).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA fell by 2.1 percent (1,200 jobs) over the month. That’s about even over the year, up by 0.3 percent (more than 100). Most of the losses came from private sector employment, which fell by 2.5 percent (1,000 jobs). As in other metropolitan areas, the industries that suffered the most were Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 7.6 percent, nearly 200) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 3.4 percent, 400), although Leisure and Hospitality also saw a significant decline (down 3.0 percent, 200). Government employment fell less than 1 percent overall (more than 100), with the bulk of the loss coming from state government employment (down 1.2 percent, nearly 100).