Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer - amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
January 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 in December by 0.7 percent (13,000 jobs) over the month and 2.4 percent (43,100) over the year. Major declines occurred in Natural Resources and Mining (down 9.5 percent or 6,400 jobs), Manufacturing (down 0.7 percent or 1,300 jobs), transportation, warehouse, and utilities (down 2 percent or 1,300), and Professional and Business Services (down 0.6 percent or 1,550) over the month. Wholesale trade also saw a significant over-the-month decline of 1.2 percent (1,050), although it was more than balanced out by seasonal gains in retail trade of 1 percent (1,850 positions), which nonetheless was still responsible for the loss of 9,400 jobs over the year. Government was another significant source of job losses, falling 1.4 percent (3,600 positions) over the month with a 4.2 percent (2,000) decline in state government education and 1.1 percent (1,700) in local government employment. Financial Activities fared better, experiencing a gain similar to the December average of 0.4 percent (630 positions).

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA fell by 0.6 percent (770 positions) over the month of December. The industries that saw employment decline by the most significant amounts were Natural Resources and Mining (down 4.7 percent or 400 jobs over the month, which is less than the average December decline of 6.4 percent), Manufacturing (down 2.6 percent or 220 positions, which is more than the average 1.1 percent decline), and Professional and Business Services (down 1.3 percent or 100 jobs). State government employment also fell more than is typical, 2.5 percent (200 jobs), compared to the average decrease of 1.3 percent in December. Educational and Health Services fared relatively well, increasing employment by 0.6 percent (nearly 170 jobs), more than the December average of 0.5 percent increase.

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA declined by 0.8 percent (860 positions) over the month of December. Natural Resources and Mining had the most significant numerical and percentage decline with employment falling by 10.2 percent (440 jobs) over the month and 7.6 percent (320 jobs) over the year. Government employment also decreased significantly, with state government employment falling by 5.3 percent (80 positions) over the month and local government employment down by 1 percent (90). Retail trade increased by 0.5 percent (60 positions), substantially less than the December average gain of 1.9 percent, and Leisure and Hospitality increased by 0.5 percent (40 jobs) or slightly more than the average December gain of 0.3 percent.

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA declined 1.3 percent (1,300 jobs) over the month of December. Most of the decline came from private sector employment, which fell by 1.2 percent or nearly 1,100 jobs. The industries that were hardest hit were Natural Resources and Mining (down 11.5 percent or 570 positions, which was well above the average December decline of 7.5 percent) and Manufacturing (down 2.8 percent or 472 positions, compared to an average December decline of 0.9 percent). Although its increase was only 0.2 percent (40 jobs), Educational and Health Services expanded in a month where there have been declines for the past four years. The industry’s over-the-year growth of 1.3 percent, however, is substantially below the average annual increase of 2.7 percent. Government employment as a whole declined by 1.4 percent (230 positions), mostly from a 2.9 percent decrease (270 jobs) in local government.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Total employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA fell by 0.9 percent over the month of December (nearly 1,100), but increased by a comparable amount (0.9 percent or 1,100) over the year. The industries that were hardest hit were Natural Resources and Mining (down 6.7 percent or 500 jobs), Manufacturing (down 4.2 percent or 400), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 1.2 percent or 330). State government employment fell by 2.4 percent (180 positions).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA declined by 1 percent (560 positions) over the month of December. Most industries in Grand Forks had relatively flat employment change, but the losses came from Natural Resources and Mining (down 8.7 percent or 240 jobs), Manufacturing (down 3.9 percent or 180 positions), and state government (down 2.6 percent or nearly 200 jobs).