Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer- amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
January  2011

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA declined 0.9 percent (16,290) over the month of December and increased 1 percent (17,030) over the year. Government employment fared worse than most industries over the month, declining 2.6 percent (6,280), with those losses evenly split between state and local government. Over the year, government employment also declined significantly (down 5.6 percent, 2,520). In the private sector, mining, logging, and construction had the most significant monthly decline (down 10.6 percent, 5,450), followed by professional and business services (down 1.5 percent, 3,840). Both industries typically have an employment loss in December, although not necessarily on that scale.

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA declined 0.5 percent (690) over the month of December and increased 1 percent (1,320) over the year. The major source of the monthly decline was mining, logging, and utilities (down 9.4 percent, 620), a fairly typical December decline for Duluth. Professional and business services also had a significant decline (down 1.5 percent, 120), while most other public and private service-providing industries had very small decreases or increases in employment. Over the year most of the increase came from educational and health services (up 2.7 percent, 800), state government (up 7 percent, 550), and manufacturing (up 3.3 percent, 230). Of those, only manufacturing does not typically see an over-the-year increase in December.

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA declined by 0.6 percent (580) over the month but increased 1.3 percent (1,330) over the year. While a monthly decline has been typical for Rochester in December during the most recent recession, prior to that there was no natural seasonal decline for the month. The largest monthly declines were in mining, logging, and construction (down 7.6 percent, 242) and in manufacturing (down 1.1 percent, 120). Most other industries were flat over the month or saw single-digit declines. The over-the- year increase was driven by educational and health services (up 2.2 percent, 920), but while the increase is greater than in recent years, it still doesn’t come close to the average increase for the 10 years preceding the recession (4.8 percent, 1,540).

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA declined 1.2 percent (1,235) over the month and 0.4 percent over the year. The monthly decline is about average for the past few years, but it’s still substantially greater than pre-recession December seasonal trends. While both public and private employment saw declines over the month, the public sector fared slightly worse proportionally, declining 2.1 percent (360). Local government was the driving force behind that decrease, falling 3.4 percent (330), not a typical December change for that industry. Major private sector declines were in mining, logging, and utilities (down 9.8 percent, 420) and in manufacturing (down 1 percent, 150), while service-providing industries’ employment was largely flat over the month.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA declined 0.4 percent (460) over the month and increased 0.2 percent (190) over the year. As in other metro areas the most substantial monthly declines were in mining, logging, and construction (down 13.3 percent, 900) and in state government employment (down 2.8 percent, 200). There were also moderate increases in trade, transportation, and utilities (up 1.8 percent, 470) and in education and health services (up 0.6 percent, 120).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA declined 0.9 percent (470) over the month of December and 0.6 percent (330) over the year. The largest monthly declines were in mining, logging, and construction, which fell 10.8 percent (280), and in state government, which fell 2.4 percent (180). While employment in most other industries was pretty flat, there was a moderate increase of 1.2 percent (130) in trade, transportation, and utilities, mostly a result of growth in retail trade.

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